Fighting to Protect Americans' Privacy After months of negotiations, the House voted on the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) this past week. FISA became law in 1978, and was then expanded in the wake of the 9/11 attacks more than two decades ago, in the name of keeping Americans safe from terrorist attacks.
It is the duty of the federal government to protect Americans, but that duty includes the protection of our constitutional liberties. However, federal law enforcement and the intelligence community have abused the authorities found in FISA millions of times to spy on American citizens without a warrant. Bad actors in the Obama Department of Justice (DOJ) used FISA authorities to spy on President Trump's campaign in 2016.
As originally presented this week, the bill would have extended these FISA authorities for five years without the necessary reforms to protect American's constitutional liberties. I joined 18 of my colleagues in blocking the bill on the House floor, a procedure known as "taking down the rule", so that we could force more reforms to protect Americans' rights. We were able to shorten the reauthorization to two years, so that the American people's voice would be heard following the November election if they choose to reelect President Trump and Republican majorities in the House and Senate. We also ensured that we would have an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) to require a warrant with probable cause to surveil or spy on U.S. citizens, and a separate vote on a bill sponsored by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) preventing the federal government from purchasing data that would otherwise require a warrant. Both Biggs and Davidson are members of the House Freedom Caucus.
Unfortunately, 86 Republicans joined 126 Democrats to defeat the Biggs warrant amendment, and then 126 Republicans joined 147 Democrats to reauthorize FISA without these and other reforms and protections for the American people. Of course, I voted for the Biggs warrant amendment, and against final passage of FISA. Congress should not give the Biden DOJ or any federal law enforcement agency the unrestrained ability to spy on political opponents, as the Obama DOJ did to President Trump. These powers have also been abused by these same agencies to go after parents attending school board meetings, pro-life protestors, individuals practicing their Christian faith, and those exercising their Second Amendment rights. |
Exposing Biden's FASFA Failures The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is designed to make a college education more accessible for countless students across the country. However, the Biden Administration's failure to implement the new and simplified FAFSA in a timely or effective manner has compromised student access to crucial financial information.
In our Education and the Workforce hearing this week, it was clear that the Biden Administration has not taken FASFA seriously since they assumed power in 2021. They have instead focused their time and energy on an endless series of illegal student loan transfer schemes. Every penny of Biden's "forgiven" student loans is being transferred onto the backs of hardworking taxpayers who paid off their college debts or opted not to attend college. 
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Iran China Accountability Act This week I introduced the Iran China Accountability Act, designed to stop the Biden Administration from entering into a disastrous nuclear agreement with Iran. The bill blocks any taxpayer dollars from being used to advance a nuclear agreement with Iran until it has officially terminated its financial connection to China and terrorist groups like Hamas.
President Biden has effectively abandoned Israel, our most important friend and ally in the Middle East. From the early days since Iran-backed Hamas terrorists brutally attacked Israel, Biden has been pressuring Israel to effectively surrender. Meanwhile, Biden has waived sanctions on Iran, releasing billions of dollars to the hostile regime. My Iran China Accountability Act condemns Hamas-incited terrorist attacks and mandates a rigorous process for any potential nuclear agreement with Iran.
You can read about my bill at the Washington Free Beacon. |
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