House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is caught in a fight about reforming a key federal surveillance tool, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows the government to surveil communications of non-Americans overseas with suspected links to terrorism without a warrant. Johnson cautions against an amendment on warrant requirements, arguing that the current bill, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America (RISA) Act, already carries necessary reforms to prevent abuse of Section 702.
Key Points
House Speaker Mike Johnson cautions against an amendment on warrant requirements for Section 702 surveillance tool
Johnson argues that the current bill, the RISA Act, already contains necessary reforms to prevent abuse of Section 702
Privacy hawks on the right complain that the bill does not go far enough in protecting civil liberties
Pros
Protecting Americans' civil liberties and national security
Preventing abuse of Section 702 surveillance tool
Cons
Threatening the bill's passage with privacy hawks on the right