Dems won't help Republicans save FISA bill, Jeffries says

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Thursday indicated that lower chamber Democrats would not help Republican leadership resuscitate a plan to extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act's Section 702 surveillance powers and that House Speaker Mike Johnson had not sought his help in doing so.

"No and no," he said in response to queries on both prospects, the Washington Times reported.

A group of 19 Republicans on Wednesday voted with Democrats in a procedural vote to block a Republican-led bill that would extend Section 702 for five years. That provision is slated to expire April 19.

Conservatives had expressed their frustrations over the relatively light reforms to Section 702, which has come under considerable scrutiny over instances of abuse. Among the most contentious points has been a conservative push for a warrant requirement in light of the surveillance tool's potential to collect Americans' data.

Prior to the vote, former President Donald Trump called on lawmakers to "kill FISA," claiming it had been illegally used to spy on his campaign.

It remains unclear what legislative recourse Johnson may have to extend Section 702 if dissenting Republicans do not fall in line. Some conservatives, however, have suggested that Johnson may opt to push a "clean" FISA extension bill in the near future.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.