House Speaker Mike Johnson Faces Backlash Over Temporary Reauthorization of FISA Section 702

Despite criticism from his own party and privacy advocates, Johnson promises full House votes on reform proposals next week.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has agreed to a temporary reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), extending unchanged access to the surveillance tool into April 2024.
The decision, which reverses Johnson's previous stance, has sparked criticism from privacy advocates and some members of his own party.
Section 702 allows for warrantless surveillance of foreigners located abroad, but also collects communications from Americans in contact with these targets, raising privacy concerns.
Two competing House bills propose hefty reforms to Section 702, but disagreements exist over the extent of these reforms and the requirement for warrants.
Despite the backlash, Johnson has promised to hold full House votes on reform proposals next week.