House Falls Short of Two-Thirds Vote to Extend FISA Surveillance Authority

The House of Representatives failed to pass a bill to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act on Thursday by a 218-198 margin. The measure required two-thirds support to advance under the procedural rules used for the vote.

U.S. Intelligence agencies to monitor foreign communications without a warrant when at least one party is located outside the United States. The authority is scheduled to expire at midnight on Friday without congressional action. The bill would have extended the provision for three weeks.

Nineteen Republican members voted against the measure despite the president’s call. They are Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Eric Burlison of Missouri, Kat Cammack of Florida, Michael Cloud of Texas, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Eli Crane of Arizona, Warren Davidson of Ohio, Troy Downing of Montana, Russ Fulcher of Idaho, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Mike Kennedy of Utah, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, John Rose of Tennessee, Chip Roy of Texas, Michael Rulli of Ohio, and Keith Self of Texas.

FISA has long drawn privacy concerns from members of both parties.

The vote occurred one day after President Trump publicly pressed for renewal ahead of upcoming international events.