Thirty Senate Republicans, on Friday evening, voted to maintain illegal surveillance and even increase the FBI’s monitoring authority.
H was passed by the Senate. R. 30 Senate Republicans voted to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ), according to Senate Bill 7988, 60-34, and the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act ( RISA ).
Although Section 702 has a security function, it frequently follows Americans without a warrant and is intended to target foreign adversaries.
The Senate, on Friday, even blocked some modifications sponsored by privacy-oriented Republicans and Democrats. The amendments sought to restrict Part 702.
The Senate blocked:
- An article introduced by Sen. According to Rep. Mike Lee (R-UT), suitable disclosure of pertinent information may be required in the FISA. The Senate blocked it 40-53.
- An act introduced by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL ) that would prohibit warrantless access to Americans ’ private communications. The Senate rejected it 42-50.
- An article introduced by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY ) to prohibit the FISA from surveilling Americans. It failed, 11-81.
- An article introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR ) to oppose the expansion of businesses that would have to follow a warrantless surveillance. It failed 34-58.
- An act introduced by Sen. R-KS Senator Roger Marshall to repeal the law prohibiting political officials from being involved in the FISA database’s acceptance. It failed 17-75.
- The Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act, which Paul sponsored, would prohibit intelligence and law enforcement from obtaining Americans ‘ personal information from third-party information agents. It failed 31-61.
The 30 Senate Republicans who voted in favor of continuing with unlawful security are:
- John Barrasso (R-WY )
- John Boozman (R-AR )
- Katie Britt (R-AL )
- Ted Budd (R-NC )
- Bill Cassidy (R-LA )
- Susan Collins (R-ME)
- John Cornyn (R-TX )
- Tom Cotton (R-AR )
- Mike Crapo (R-ID )
- Joni Ernst (R-IA )
- Deb Fischer (R-NE )
- Lindsey Graham (R-SC )
- Chuck Grassley (R-IA )
- Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS )
- John Kennedy (R-LA )
- James Lankford (R-OK )
- Mitch McConnell (R-KY )
- Jerry Moran (R-KS)
- Markwayne Mullin (R-OK )
- Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
- Pete Ricketts (R-NE )
- Jim Risch (R-ID )
- Mitt Romney (R-UT)
- Mike Rounds (R-SD )
- Marco Rubio (R-FL )
- Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
- John Thune (R-SD )
- Thom Tillis (R-NC )
- Roger Wicker (R-MS )
- Todd Young (R-IN )
Sen. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) and commission ranking part Jim Himes (D-CT) both expressed concern about the participation of the article in the FISA bill.
Breitbart News has reported regarding this article and how it could significantly increase the number of Americans and businesses who would be required to comply with the state and grant unrestricted access to their communications systems.
Basically, the measure updates Any other service provider who has access to products that is being or may be used to convey or business cable or digital communications is defined as an electric service provider. ”
Hawley referred to this as yet another “power grab” by the FBI. ”
After the vote, Paul stated in a statement that:” The Senate was once more asked to consider the problem: You rights be exchanged for protection. And ironically, the majority of Senators concurred. Last FISA reauthorization was granted again more. ”
The Senate was once more asked to consider the problem,” You rights be exchanged for safety?” And ironically, the majority of Senators concurred.
Last FISA reauthorization was granted again more.
— Rand Paul ( @RandPaul ) April 20, 2024
After rejecting seven different revisions requiring a subpoena and then reforming FISA 702, the Senate passed the House-passed FISA expansion bill tonight, Lee wrote. “This is a terrible costs. It shows blatant disregard for Americans ‘ right. This is not a moment to enjoy. ”
After rejecting seven different revisions requiring a subpoena and often reforming FISA 702. Tonight, the Senate passed the House-passed FISA development bill.
This is a terrible costs.
It shows blatant disregard for Americans ‘ right.
This is not a moment to enjoy.
— Mike Lee ( @BasedMikeLee ) April 20, 2024
In a speech following the vote, Wyden said:
In the dead of night, the Senate waited until the eleventh hour to pass a new illegal security warrant. But I’m never giving up. The American people are aware that change is possible and that they do n’t have to give up their liberty in order to have security. Senators were unwilling to return this bill to the House, no matter how obvious the act was to be put to the test. This is evident from the votes on the most common amendments.
“Time after time, anti-reformers pledge that their band-aid changes to the law will curb crimes, and but every day, the public knows about new crimes by officers who face much important monitoring, ” Wyden added. There is a bit of work to be done for those of us who think liberty and security are not mutually exclusive. ”
For Breitbart News, Sean Moran is a plan writer. Following him on Twitter @SeanMoran3.
