Posted on 05/26/2020 6:11:55 PM PDT by RandFan
President Trump on Tuesday evening urged House Republicans to vote against a surveillance bill that will be brought to the floor this week after lawmakers reached an agreement to vote on a key provision.
“I hope all Republican House Members vote NO on FISA until such time as our Country is able to determine how and why the greatest political, criminal, and subversive scandal in USA history took place!” Trump tweeted, referring to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Trump's tweet comes after months of speculation about whether or not he would support the bill and less than a day before it is scheduled to get a vote on the House floor on Wednesday, throwing an 11th hour curveball into its path.
The Senate approved legislation in a bipartisan vote earlier this month reauthorizing three expired surveillance programs under the USA Freedom Act, a 2015 intelligence reform law.
The initial version of the bill, which passed the House in a 278-136 vote in March, included some changes to the FISA court as part of a deal backed by Attorney General Bill Barr and supported by some Trump's biggest allies, including Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
But the Senate included new legal protections for some FISA warrant applications, in a win for civil liberties-minded lawmakers, and the amended bill passed 80-16, forcing it to go back to the House for a second vote. The Justice Department opposed the changes, saying that they would "unacceptably degrade" the U.S. government's ability to carry out surveillance.
Trump’s tweet Tuesday came hours after House leaders agreed to consider an amendment that would tighten the limits on the FBI’s ability to access Americans’ web browsing history. A similar provision was defeated by one vote in the Senate, where senators who would have supported it were absent, putting pressure on House leadership to revive it.
Trump has long alleged that FISA was abused by the FBI to improperly surveil members of his 2016 campaign and undermine his White House bid. The president suggested in March that he was considering vetoing legislation under consideration by the Senate renewing the surveillance powers; that was a different version than the bill that ultimately passed by the upper chamber earlier in May.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who voted against the legislation in the Senate, has been urging Trump to oppose the bill, but he, like many of his GOP colleagues, acknowledged earlier this month that he didn't know where Trump would come down.
“Whether or not he’ll actually get involved … that’s the real question on this, and I don’t know how it will come down,” Paul said ahead of the Senate's vote.
A Justice Department inspector general investigation completed last year faulted the FBI for errors and omissions in surveillance applications used to wiretap former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page as part of the bureau’s investigation into Russian interference.
The internal watchdog review did not find evidence that agents were motivated by bias in their decisions to open investigations into Trump campaign associates, however, undermining a key talking point of Trump and his GOP allies.
Graham is doing a deep-dive into the FBI investigation, including the FISA court and the Page warrant applications. He's hoping to release a report on his findings by October, before the election, and potentially offer additional FISA-related legislation.
“We’re going to investigate the investigators, and try to find out how Hurricane Crossfire got off the rails,” Graham said earlier this month.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore) has pulled his support from a House amendment that was meant to strengthen protections.
Shifty Schiff up to his old tricks.
“Hopefully everyone will wake up and defend the Constitution,” he told The Hill. “It’s time for the House to protect one of Americans’ most basic freedoms—the right to privacy.”
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Even worse is Adam Schiff is writing the amendment LOL ...
Principled Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore) has said he cannot support it.
Praying for a VETO.
Veto it! Beto it! Kill it! Salt the ground with it!
Hire some hookers to pee on it!
I think it’s very likely he will veto it.
That tweet tells the story.
Excellent! Tweeto it!!!
If he Kills it I will be seriously impressed! :)
Shouldn’t even be a question.
The internal watchdog review did not find evidence that agents were motivated by bias in their decisions to open investigations into Trump campaign associates
Just wow
Question is does Congress have the votes to override the veto? It appears they have the votes in the Senate. The House may be a different matter.
[“I hope all Republican House Members vote NO on FISA until such time as our Country is able to determine how and why the greatest political, criminal, and subversive scandal in USA history took place!” Trump tweeted, referring to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).]
I agree Mr. President. It was weaponized by the Democrats for a political coup d’etat against the Presidency of the United States of America.
Not in the House but don’t think for one minute that the Deep State couldn’t round up the votes if need be...
Not sure though if the Democrats are that dumb to override a veto. Aren’t they supposed to support civil liberties (ACLU)? Only Sen. Ron Wyden seems to have any principles.
He needs to veto this freedom killer.
Veto it, tear it in half, and send it back to Nancy Pelosi.
The Dems can’t override a veto without help from the Reps who provide cover. They will cite national security and Deep State officials who will attest how essential this is to our national security.
Yes. No accountability, no bill.
Besides a veto of the bill Trump should demand all current FISA court members who were serving during its recent failures resign their FISA positions.
Also, Roberts should assign to the court no one who has been on the court before. An “old boys club” is not what the FISA court should ever be.
He should tell Americans he is considering vetoing the bill due to its unlawful use in a Presidential campaign, his Presidential campaign.
He should add, since no one is bothered by that last statement on the left, then I will sign the bill, so I can use it to enhance my Presidential election chances. It seems perfectly fine to the left to spy on their opponents Presidential campaign, think I will use it too, Yes its an advantage, too bad should have thought about that 4 years ago.
Leftists thrive on a surveillance state. End the Patriot Act too. Instead of surveilling the citizens, control who comes into our country.
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