A Paul-Massie alliance fight FISA’s renewal. They’re running out of time

mcclatchydc ^ | April 18 | BY DAVID CATANESE

[RandFan]

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul formed a noisy alliance with Rep. Thomas Massie this week that scrambled Congress’ plans to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act without additional privacy protections for Americans and threatened the six-month tenure of the Republican speaker of the House.

The libertarian duo scored a substantive victory in the House on Wednesday when the chamber passed legislation that would force federal agencies to obtain a court order to buy the online data of U.S. citizens from service providers.

Massie, a Northern Kentucky Republican, was joined by Rep. James Comer in supporting the “Fourth Amendment is Not For Sale Act” while Lexington Rep. Andy Barr opposed the restriction, voting “no” without an explanation. The total vote muddled usual party lines, tallying 219-199 with 1 voting “resent.” Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy heaped praise on Paul, saying, “Today, the good guys won.” Then came a new day and a new body co-led by Kentucky Sen. Mitch

McConnell, who belittled “chicken littles on the left” who decried the government’s authority to spy. “The reality is, we’re out of time,” said Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, a proponent of swift reauthorization of FISA’s Section 702, the program that provides 60% of the intelligence included in the president’s daily briefing.

[Openurmind]

“voting “no” without an explanation”

A no vote IS the explanation.

[thegagline]

A Paul- Massie ticket would be a dream come true.

[AndyJackson]

So 60% of the President’s daily brief is based on intel that the IC cannot get without warrantless spying on American citizens. Sounds like it is about domestic politics and not genuine foreign security threats.

[joshua c]

excellent point!

[linMcHlp]

bttt

[AndyJackson]

I am just taking McTurddle at his earnest and honest word. I would be the last to question whether he genuinely believes what he says.