House GOP leadership has delayed a procedural vote to extend a key government surveillance authority as a band of GOP privacy hawks threatens to sink the measure without a commitment to reforms.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters Wednesday that he is discussing the possibility of “minor modifications to the bill” demanded by rabble-rousing members of his conference. Johnson, backed by the White House, is pushing for a “clean” extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act but had to scrap plans for the afternoon vote due to the opposition.
The speaker told the Washington Examiner that “different ideas” have been floated on how to reform Section 702, which allows warrantless wiretapping of noncitizens overseas. Among those under discussion are additional restrictions on search queries and enhanced penalties if there’s a violation.
But GOP leadership is arguing that changes made in 2024 are sufficient to safeguard the privacy of Americans who get caught up in the foreign surveillance and is pressing for a final House vote before the authorities lapse on Monday.
It is not clear when the measure will come to the House floor. However, Johnson projected optimism that Republicans could overcome the impasse, telling reporters he believes leadership can secure enough support for the procedural rule vote.
Johnson can only lose two GOP votes, given his slim control of the House. Some Democrats are expected to vote for final passage, but procedural steps are typically cast along party lines.
“I expect it to be today, probably later today,” Johnson said. “There’s a lot going on here right now, so there’s a lot of discussions, and they’ve been fruitful. Everybody’s there in good spirit and good faith. So, I think it’ll work out.”
Coming out of a Wednesday morning conference meeting, GOP holdouts appeared open to striking a deal on FISA, with House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) saying it was “possible” an agreement would be made.
Members of the House Freedom Caucus, which often causes trouble for leadership, have been vocal in their opposition to extending the program without reforms that build on the 2024 changes.
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) was noncommittal about whether he would support the rule, which is the first hurdle the legislation must pass on the House floor, telling the Washington Examiner, “We’ll see what the progress is.”
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Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) told reporters he hopes leadership does not bring the legislation to the floor until “we’ve had a chance to work out the issues.”
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) has also threatened to vote “no” on an extension to the program unless elements of a voter integrity measure, called the SAVE America Act, are included.