House FISA bill tanked by hardliners in latest blow to Speaker Johnson’s leadership

Hard-line House Republicans tanked a procedural rule vote that would begin debate on reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, effectively leaving the House at a standstill just nine days before the key surveillance law expires. 

Republican leaders hoped to advance the FISA reform on Wednesday but the measure failed after 19 Republicans joined all Democrats in tanking the rule. The vote, which failed 193-228, is the latest blow to Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) leadership, which is already on the rocks as he faces a number of legislative challenges and a threat to remove him from his top position.