The House Rules Committee advanced a bill that would reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a controversial spying authority, but left the decision on whether queries of Americans’ data should require a warrant to be decided later. This issue has divided Congress and sparked debates on national security and civil liberties. The bill, known as the “Reforming Intelligence and Securing America” Act, makes some reforms to the program while leaving the issue of warrants for a showdown on the House floor. The fate of the bill hinges on whether a proposed amendment to require warrants for searches of U.S. person communications in the FISA 702 database is included. Members of Congress are split on this issue, with some insisting on a warrant requirement and others opposing it, citing concerns about national security. The bill aims to address past abuses and strengthen oversight of the program, but privacy advocates argue that it does not go far enough to protect civil liberties.
Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) expressed concerns about the impact of imposing a warrant requirement, stating that it could be dangerous for America.
He emphasized that under FISA, intelligence officials are only able to access communications involving Americans and foreign terrorist groups such as Hamas and ISIS, which he argued are not protected by the Constitution.
Following the approval of the legislation by the Rules Committee, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will decide on bringing the bill to the floor for a vote.
Johnson has indicated his opposition to the warrant requirement, and it is likely that other leaders will follow suit.
The future of the bill hinges on whether a warrant requirement is included or excluded.
If the bill passes in the House, the Senate is expected to face a similar divide, with bipartisan groups forming in support or opposition to the warrant requirement.
