The House of Representatives voted to reauthorize and reform a key U.S. government surveillance tool, following a contentious floor debate over restrictions on FBI use. The bipartisan bill, approved 273-147, awaits Senate approval before becoming law, aiming to extend the surveillance program for two years. Despite Speaker Mike Johnson’s efforts to secure support, it faced challenges, with amendments seeking to prohibit warrantless surveillance of Americans.
Critics, including Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, voiced concerns over Speaker Johnson’s stance against a warrant requirement, likening it to the approach of Speaker Pelosi. The amendment aimed at restricting warrantless surveillance narrowly failed, leading to a sigh of relief among supporters. However, a procedural motion by a Republican after the vote stalled the legislation’s transfer to the Senate, requiring an additional vote next week.
The reauthorization bill allows the U.S. government to collect communications of non-Americans abroad for foreign intelligence purposes without a warrant, coupled with reforms addressing civil liberties concerns. Yet, far-right opponents, particularly from the House Freedom Caucus, argue that the reforms fall short, pushing for broader changes. Speaker Johnson plans to introduce a separate proposal to close loopholes allowing data collection on Americans without a warrant from tech companies.
Despite the impending expiration of the surveillance program, the Biden administration anticipates its continued operation for at least another year, backed by recent court rulings. However, congressional authorization remains crucial amid bipartisan concerns about FBI misuse of the intelligence repository. These concerns, fueled by revelations of surveillance abuses targeting Americans, underscore the delicate balance between national security imperatives and civil liberties protections.
