House GOP leadership pulls both FISA bills following backlash

House Republican leadership pulled two bills reforming the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act from the floor, as Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., faced backlash for allowing two bills to be introduced on the surveillance law.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a member of the House Rules Committee, confirmed to the Washington Examiner late Monday evening that neither of the bills reforming Section 702 would come to the floor for a vote this week. 

Republicans have been split on how to extend Section 702 of FISA, so Johnson had intended to introduce both bills Tuesday and have the one with the most votes advance to the Senate. One bill, the Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act came from the House Judiciary Committee, while the other bill, the FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2023, came from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. 

Judiciary Committee member Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, reportedly accused Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner, R-Ohio, of "f***ing lying" about the judiciary bill. 

Ultimately, multiple members expressed dissatisfaction with what they called the "queen of the hill" tactic where one bill would prevail, and they urged Johnson to pick one and stand by it.

"I think the former speaker said it very well when he said we should take the time it takes to get one bill and take the time it takes to get it right," Judiciary Committee member Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said. 

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