JUST IN: Republican Makes Rare Procedural Move That... /JUST IN: Fani Willis’ Former Employee TURNS, Gives...

A procedural snag emerged in Congress when a Republican lawmaker disrupted proceedings. The House voted 273-147 on Friday to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a critical U.S. surveillance program for national security. This program allows the government to collect electronic communications of non-Americans outside the country without a warrant. The renewal, extending the program until 2026, now moves to the Senate.

The bipartisan vote saw support from 126 Republicans and 147 Democrats, despite initial opposition from 19 conservative lawmakers seeking stronger privacy protections. Section 702 has faced scrutiny due to concerns about incidental data collection on Americans in contact with foreign targets. A proposed amendment requiring warrants for more surveillance narrowly missed approval in a 212-212 vote.

Republican Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) introduced a procedural hurdle, delaying the bill's immediate progression to the Senate. Another vote is required to discharge the bill, seen as an uncommon delaying tactic. Urgency looms as the Senate must align with the House within a week and a half to prevent interruption of surveillance programs.

FISA, enacted in 1978, regulates physical and electronic surveillance for collecting "foreign intelligence information" related to espionage or terrorism. It established the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) to review and approve surveillance warrants. Amendments, including the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, expanded the NSA's surveillance capabilities, sparking debates on privacy and civil liberties.

The bill faced controversy, with House Republicans blocking Speaker Mike Johnson's proposed FISA reauthorization on Wednesday. Nineteen Republicans, joining Democrats, defeated the rule by a vote of 228 to 193. Dissenters criticized the bill for inadequate addressing of FBI and CIA surveillance abuses, including improper spying on the Trump campaign, January 6 protesters, and Republican officials.

JUST IN: Fani Willis’ Former Employee TURNS, Gives

A former employee inside the office of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is ready to spill the goods on how the embattled Democrat may have abused federal funds in her quest to take down former President Donald Trump……...