House approves bill renewing FISA spy program after GOP upheaval threatened passage

Source: CBS News

April 12, 2024 / 1:03 PM EDT


Washington -- The House on Friday passed a bill to reauthorize a crucial national security surveillance program, two days after a conservative revolt prevented similar legislation from reaching the floor.

The bill reforms and extends a portion of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act known as Section 702 for a shortened period of two years, instead of the full five-year reauthorization first proposed. The change was made to sway GOP critics.

The vote on final passage was 273 in favor to 147 opposed.

Skepticism of the government's spy powers has grown dramatically in recent years, particularly on the right. Republicans have clashed for months over what a legislative overhaul of the FISA surveillance program should look like, creating divisions that spilled onto the House floor this week as 19 Republicans broke with their party to prevent the bill from coming up for a vote. However, some of the original opponents signaled their support for the new plan late Thursday.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fisa-reauthorization-house-vote-section-702/