(NewsWorthy.news) – As Congress remains divided over legislation that is designed to protect American citizens from unlawful government searches, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is facing the need to compromise to satisfy lawmakers in both parties.
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)—which allows authorities to investigate foreign individuals suspected of crimes—has been criticized for its misuse to spy on citizens in the United States instead of monitoring threats abroad. Johnson and his supporters are seeking to reauthorize Section 702 of the act in an effort to stop backdoor searches.
According to information publicized by journalist Jake Sherman, the House will be briefed on Wednesday April 10 by the Department of Defense (DOD), the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Security Agency (NSA). This leaves the earliest possible vote on the issue to be held by the end of the week.
However, reauthorizing Section 702 of FISA remains a divided issue. On one side, representatives like Jim Jordan (R-OH), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (D-NY) stand by the requirement that any bill related to this issue stipulate that intelligence agencies only search American citizens with the authorization of warrants.
On the other hand, Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) are opposed to this requirement.
The anticipated vote comes five months after Turner and Himes introduced legislation to reauthorize and reform FISA, including stipulations that limit the amount of FBI agents who are able to authorize searches of American citizens. It also follows weeks after Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Majority Whip, and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) proposed the Security and Freedom Enhancement (SAFE) Act.
This bipartisan bill seeks a compromise between the two sides by addressing intelligence agency needs to monitor and take out foreign threats while also protecting American citizens from “warrantless government surveillance.”
Section 702 of FISA will expire on April 19.
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