Mike Johnson Delays FISA Vote as House Republicans Rebel Against Surveillance Bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson delayed a Wednesday vote to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act after a group of conservative Republicans threatened to block the bill. Johnson needs nearly all GOP members to support the procedural vote to move the surveillance law forward.
House Speaker Mike Johnson postponed a crucial vote Wednesday on renewing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act after facing a revolt from conservative Republicans. The group threatened to tank the bill during a procedural vote needed to bring it to the floor.
FISA allows intelligence agencies to monitor foreign targets without warrants, but the program has drawn criticism for potentially collecting Americans' communications in the process. The law needs renewal to continue operating.
Johnson needs near-unanimous Republican support to pass the procedural rule vote under the regular legislative process. With a slim majority, losing even a handful of GOP members could derail the entire effort.
Republican leaders had originally hoped to hold the vote around 10 p.m. Wednesday, but Johnson was noncommittal about that timeline in a late morning interview. The delay reflects broader tensions within the GOP over government surveillance powers and privacy concerns.
Conservatives have long opposed FISA renewals, arguing the program violates Americans' constitutional rights. Their rebellion puts Johnson in a difficult position as he tries to balance national security concerns with his party's privacy hawks.
FISA lets the government spy on foreign targets without warrants, but critics worry it also sweeps up Americans' communications. If the law expires, intelligence agencies could lose a key tool for tracking threats, but privacy advocates say that might protect citizens' rights.
Johnson will try to gather more Republican votes before scheduling a new vote date. The timing remains unclear.
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