Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA)
Recent efforts to ensure citizen protections from warrantless surveillance under section 702 of FISA was defeated with the help of many Republicans, including Virginia Republicans Kiggans and Wittman.
⦁ Prior to a final vote on the FISA reauthorization, several Amendments were introduced, among them was the Biggs Amendment:
Roll Call 114 | Bill Number: H. R. 7888
The Biggs Amendment #1 would have required a warrant for any citizen surveillance included in a FISA warrant. Kiggans voted against these protections. Wittman, failed to vote because , he took suddenly ill and had to leave the House Floor….curious…. (Source)
⦁ Eventually, the FISA reauthorization without citizen warrant protections came to the Floor for a vote:
Roll Call 119 | Bill Number: H. R. 7888
Wittman and Kiggans voted in favor of FISA without protections for U.S. citizens and warrants (Source)
⦁ In an effort to give Republicans another chance to change their vote, a motion was made that would reconsider FISA bill in an effort to include the Biggs Amendment that would require a search warrant for any American being surveilled:
“Shortly after FISA passed on the House floor, 273 to 147, on Friday, Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL) called for a motion to reconsider the vote, pushing House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) to call for a motion to table Lee’s motion. Representative Luna demanded a recorded vote on the motion to table, which is set to take place Monday night.” (Source)
See motion here on video – go to mm 5:02:00
See Representative Anna Paulina’s letter for better explanation of motion: https://d12t4t5x3vyizu.cloudfront.net/luna.house.gov/uploads/2024/04/FISA-Dear-Colleague.pdf
A NO vote would on this motion would have allowed H.R. 7888 to be reconsidered.
Roll Call 120 | Bill Number: H. R. 7888
