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America First Republicans slammed their colleagues who voted against the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant requirement amendment on Friday afternoon.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has been under fire for breaking the deadlocked chamber’s 212-212 tie with a vote against the amendment to Section 702 of FISA. The amendment would have required the government to obtain a warrant to query data of individuals involved in foreign surveillance, Washington Examiner reported.
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk ripped Johnson in a post on X, calling his vote inexcusable. “This is how the Constitution dies,” said Kirk. “Brought to you by the House GOP.”
On the subject of search warrants, the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states:
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
Strong pro-Trump conservatives were quick to slam Johnson for voting against the FISA amendment, which has been “blatantly abused to spy” on President Donald J. Trump and his campaign, as Rep. Greg Steube, R-Texas, wrote on X.
Johnson’s seat may soon hang in the balance as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene seeks to bring accountability.
Last month, Greene filed a “motion to vacate” as a slap on the wrist to the new House Speaker for helping pass a $1.2 trillion bill despite “extreme opposition to the second part of the omnibus bill,” the congresswoman said to press outside the U.S. Capitol. “No Republican in the House of Representatives in good conscience can vote for this bill,” she added.
After FISA was officially reauthorized on Friday, Greene asked, “What is the difference between Speaker Johnson and Speaker Nancy Pelosi?”
Capturing the gravity of the situation, Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs (R) also had harsh words for Republicans who voted not to require the government to seek warrants when surveilling Americans. “86 voted with the Deep State,” said Biggs. “We need Republicans in Congress who believe that you shouldn’t be surveilled by your federal government.”
A bill reauthorizing Section 702 of FISA until 2026 was passed in a 273-147 vote on Friday, with 126 Republicans and 147 Democrats voting in support, Fox News reported.