House advances reauthorization of US spy program as GOP upheaval threatens final passage

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans have advanced a bill that would reauthorize a crucial national security surveillance program. The second attempt Friday (April 12, 2024) comes just days after a conservative revolt prevented similar legislation from reaching the floor.

Speaker Mike Johnson has brought forward a Plan B that, if passed, would reform and extend a section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act known as Section 702 for a shortened period of two years, instead of the full five-year reauthorization first proposed. Johnson hopes the shorter timeline will be enough to sway GOP critics to clear the path for passage before the April 19, 2024, deadline. A provision ending warrantless surveillance of Americans will also be offered, potentially jeopardizing final passage of the bill.