Speaker Johnson seeks House vote Thursday on spy powers legislation as GOP revolts

Following one stalled attempt, House Speaker Mike Johnson plans on Thursday to resume his push for an extension to the controversial Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that is opposed by members of his conference. Johnson plans to tee up a vote for final passage of the 18-month extension to the government’s warrantless surveillance powers at 5 p.m., according to Politico. He reportedly told the outlet that House negotiators needed “a few more hours” to iron out a potential compromise with the Republicans opposing the extension. 
President Donald Trump has called for House Republicans to pass the extension, arguing the powers, which allow U.S. spy agents to monitor communications of non-citizens abroad, are more necessary than ever during the conflict with Iran. 
The House Republicans opposed to the clean extension want to impose new warrant requirements for Section 702 surveillance. 
Before being reelected president for a second term, Trump criticized FISA for facilitating the abuses of the baseless Russia collusion investigation into his 2016 campaign. 
“KILL FISA, IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHERS. THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!!!” Trump posted to Truth Social amid a previous vote to extend the authority. 
Recently, Trump addressed the record of abuse of those surveillance powers, including its alleged weaponization against him, but said the military need for the surveillance powers amid the Iran war meant it was worth the risk.

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