An amendment to require a warrant for surveillance of Americans’ communications under Section 702 of FISA failed in the House by a tie vote of 212-212.
While most Republicans supported the amendment, 86 House GOP members voted against it.
Public opinion polls show strong bipartisan support for a warrant requirement.
This is how the Constitution dies.
By a tie vote, the amendment to require a warrant to spy on Americans goes down in flames.
This is a sad day for America.
The Speaker doesn’t always vote in the House, but he was the tie breaker today. He voted against warrants. pic.twitter.com/i49GnCzyPm
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 12, 2024
Only House Majority Whip Tom Emmer voted with the GOP conference, while Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik opposed it.
Conservatives and civil liberties groups criticized leadership for pushing against true privacy reforms.
Rep. Thomas Massie wrote, “This is how the Constitution dies. By a tie vote, the amendment to require a warrant to spy on Americans goes down in flames. This is a sad day for America. The Speaker doesn’t always vote in the House, but he was the tie breaker today. He voted against warrants.”
The vote was seen as a loss for Fourth Amendment protections and bipartisan privacy reform efforts.
“House Leadership has pushed its thumb on the scale against privacy protections throughout this debate, as it has done for more than a decade. After wrongfully stopping the House Judiciary Committee’s legislation from reaching the floor, denying a vote on closing the data broker loophole, and rewarding the House Intelligence Committee for operating in staggeringly bad faith,” Demand Progress Policy Director Sean Vitka said.
Those opposing the warrant requirement were accused of putting leadership pressure and political calculations over protecting constitutional rights.
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) wrote, “Here they go again, expanding FISA. Bipartisan skulduggery. A sad day for America.”
Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) wrote, “Today’s FISA warrant amendment vote was tied, which means every single vote was the deciding vote. Make your decisions about who represents you based on supporting your Constitutional rights.”
