The fight over renewing FISA's Section 702 is heating up on Capitol Hill with a deadline of April 19 (Getty)
National security hawks and members of the intelligence community have called it a critical tool for preventing another 9/11-style attack. But critics, which include both conservatives and progressives, have been seeking to limit its scope after reported instances of abuse to collect data on Americans.
The fight over Section 702’s renewal has been among the most bitter that House Republicans have had to contend with, while Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also grapples with a razor-thin majority. The current process is House GOP leaders’ third attempt at the tool’s renewal before the April 19 deadline.
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Conservatives sought to include an amendment by Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, in the final bill, but ultimately it was left out ((Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images))
Opponents of that provision, mostly from the House Intelligence Committee, complained that it was not relevant to Section 702 and would have bogged down its chances of passing in the Senate.
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House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., told Fox News Digital earlier on Tuesday that Davidson's amendment would be voted on as a standalone bill later.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the Section 702 renewal bill on Thursday, Fox News Digital is told. On Wednesday, administration officials will descend on Capitol Hill for an all-member House briefing on FISA.
Fox News' Tyler Olson contributed to this report
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
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