Bradley Jaye 12 Feb 2024
The House is preparing for a rare secret session to debate the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) beyond the prying eyes of the press and public.
The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence posted a closed Tuesday night meeting, titled “To Consider a Motion to Call Information to the Attention of the House,” likely a procedural step for the select committee to formally request the House enter a “closed” session later in the week.
The controversial Section 702 of FISA, which allows intelligence services to conduct surveillance activities on foreigners but has been subject to charges of widespread abuse, including spying on Americans, contributed to the House’s inability to reauthorize the law by the end of last year.
The episode was a black eye for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who juggled two competing reauthorizations. Eventually it was extended by attachment to the unrelated National Defense Authorization Act, but Congress must act again by April.
The notion of a secret session to reauthorize an unpopular program accused of spying on Americans has rankled many across the ideological spectrum, including privacy advocates. The House Freedom Caucus is set to hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon in advance of the select committee’s meeting.
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https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/02/12/house-hold-secret-session-protect-deep-state/