'We Are Killing FISA': Speaker Mike Johnson Dealt Huge Blow After FISA Vote Fails

On Wednesday, the GOP-led House of Representatives voted to block the bill that would reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. This law gives broad investigative power to America's intelligence agencies, including the potential for Americans' communications to be obtained without a warrant. The procedural vote failed, with 228 votes against it and 193 in favor. Joining Democrats against the reauthorization were 19 Republicans encouraged to do so by presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump.

"KILL FISA, IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHERS," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. "THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!!! DJT" The FBI utilized FISA to plant a wiretap in Trump Tower during the 2016 election under suspicion that the Trump campaign was colluding with the Russian government. In response to Trump's comments, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters, "I look forward to talking with him about it. Here's the thing about FISA: he's not wrong; of course, they abused FISA. These reforms would actually kill the abuses that allowed President Trump's campaign to be spied on."

The Republican lawmakers who oppose reauthorizing FISA with the current legislation include Reps. Andy Biggs, Dan Bishop, Lauren Boebert, Tim Burchett, Michael Cloud, Eli Crane, Bob Good, Matt Gaetz, Paul Gozar, Clay Higgins, Anna Paulina Luna, Cory Mills, Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman, Scott Perry, Matt Rosendale, Greg Steube, and Chip Roy. Without reauthorization, the law will lapse next week.

The failed vote is another troubling sign for Mike Johnson's speakership as he tries to navigate a divided caucus and avoid an ouster from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) for potentially bringing up a vote on Ukraine aid. The Georgia Republican specifically mentioned the FISA vote in a letter to colleagues earlier this week, explaining her reasoning behind taking the first step to oust the speaker last month, as previously reported by the DC Enquirer. Prompted by the letter, Johnson held a lengthy meeting with Greene to discuss her concerns. "He does not have my support, and I'm watching what happens with FISA and Ukraine," she said following the meeting, per The Wall Street Journal.

With the Republican majority shrinking by the month, Johnson's ability to lead the caucus is increasingly diminishing. Despite this, House Republicans have been able to put up some resistance and create change on Capitol Hill despite having only one chamber of Congress and a Democrat in the White House. The vote against considering the reauthorization of FISA is just one example of how Republicans are fighting back.

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