Staff Reports
Conservative Republicans in the House are fighting tooth and nail for the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act, but House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is throwing a wrench in their plans, putting the future of the amendment in jeopardy. The amendment, championed by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), seeks to impose a warrant requirement on federal agencies when purchasing commercially owned data of U.S. citizens, such as online activity and location information, under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
But drama is afoot as the House gets ready to vote on the reauthorization of Section 702, with Johnson snubbing the inclusion of Davidson’s amendment in the legislation. Instead, Davidson’s bill is set to be voted on separately, causing quite the uproar among conservative lawmakers. There’s tension in the air as they clash over the government’s surveillance powers and the need for a warrant requirement.
It seems like a showdown is on the horizon, as Rep. Davidson is determined to have the Not For Sale Act voted on separately, rather than under suspension this week. He suspects foul play, believing that forcing a vote under suspension is a deliberate ploy to ensure the amendment doesn’t pass. He’s not buying into the shenanigans and is ready to take on the opposition.
At the heart of the matter is the debate over warrant requirements and the conflicting proposals from the Judiciary and Intelligence committees. With the expiration of Section 702 looming, tensions are running high, and the battle lines have been drawn. The Intelligence Committee is digging in its heels, arguing that warrant requirements would cripple the program and leave the U.S. vulnerable to security threats.
Rep. Davidson is not mincing words, pointing fingers at the Intelligence Committee for derailing the debate and torpedoing his amendment. He’s calling out Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) for causing chaos and feels the heat as he accuses Johnson of flip-flopping on his support for the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act.
The infighting has spilled over, drawing in outside groups like Demand Progress, who are slamming Johnson for leaning towards the Intelligence Committee’s viewpoint. They are rallying against the speaker’s stance, warning of dire consequences if Davidson’s crucial amendment is sidelined. It’s a high-stakes game, and both sides are digging in for a battle royale.
The tension is palpable as Republican lawmakers gear up for a showdown, using every tool at their disposal, from social media campaigns to button-wearing protests. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has drawn a line in the sand, signaling his opposition, and with the clock ticking, the pressure is on to salvage the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act.
As the battle rages on, one thing is clear – this is a political firefight of epic proportions, and the fallout could be seismic. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this nail-biting saga as conservative Republicans take on the establishment in a high-stakes showdown over privacy rights and government surveillance powers.
