House Conservatives Threaten FISA 702 'Clean' Extension, Testing Speaker Johnson

A Fox News report details how a growing conservative revolt is imperiling House Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan to pass a “clean” 18‑month extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act before it expires on April 20. Privacy‑focused Republicans such as Reps. Keith Self and Harriet Hageman, joined by some progressives, argue that despite 2024 reforms the program still allows warrantless surveillance of Americans with no immediate terrorist nexus and are demanding new warrant requirements. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, echoing the intelligence community, is publicly warning that 702 is vital to preventing another Sept. 11‑style attack and says the administration has been “very clear” the tool is essential to keeping Americans safe. The underlying bill would likely pass on final passage with bipartisan votes, but Johnson faces a more immediate danger in the procedural rule vote, where rule votes are typically partisan and he can afford to lose only one Republican without Democratic help. At least two hardline Republicans, Reps. Lauren Boebert and Anna Paulina Luna, are already threatening to vote against the rule, signaling another showdown over surveillance, civil liberties and the speaker’s grip on his razor‑thin majority.