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BREAKING: Congress Approves Extension of Warrantless Surveillance FISA Program

Before Congress breaks tonight for a 3-week vacation, they got something done, at least!

Just this morning, the House voted to approve a $900 BILLION NDAA Defense Bill, which included funding for an extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) which allows the FBI to use surveillance without a warrant.

You know, the same one that allowed for the FBI to spy on President Trump!

Take a look:

The NDAA bill passed with bipartisan support. It is now headed to Biden’s desk to get signed into law.

In case you were curious, here are the names of the Republicans who voted YES:

Here are more details on what Congress just approved, from The Hill:

Congress has approved a short-term extension of the nation’s warrantless surveillance powers, punting to the new year a decision over how to reform the law.

Included in the defense policy bill headed to the president’s desk after approval by the House on Thursday is a measure that extends Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until mid-April.

FISA allows the government to spy on foreigners located abroad, but Americans who communicate with those being surveilled have their information swept up in the searches, prompting agreement that reauthorization of the powers must come with reforms that limit documented abuse of the tool by the intelligence community.

While the National Defense Authorization Act’s inclusion of FISA avoids an end-of-the-year expiration of the powers, it also extends an ongoing battle over whether the government should get a warrant before reviewing information it’s already collected pertaining to Americans.

But, not all House Republicans were happy about passing the bill.

Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas spoke out about the truth behind FISA:

Rep. Rosendale was another voice who spoke out:

The Washington Examiner had this to say about opposition to extending FISA:

The vote Thursday was 310-118, with 73 Republicans voting against the NDAA.

A main point of opposition to the NDAA was Johnson’s decision to include a short-term extinction of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act until April 19, 2024.

“It’s upsetting to me,” Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), who voted against the NDAA, said. “… You can see the kind of trickery of DC where they try and attach FISA to the NDAA. That way, they can put you into that situation where if you vote against it, ‘Oh, you hate our military.’ Or if you vote for it, ‘Oh, you hate individual privacy.’ So these (are) poison pills.”

But, Johnson and the House leave for the year having passed this year’s NDAA despite angering many members of his conference. However, when they return, Johnson will have to put together and manage a highly fractured conference of people upset with his handling of issues and must pass legislation over the past month.


 

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