House passes controversial FISA surveillance reform bill as Utah reps split over privacy concerns
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The House passed a bill to reform and reauthorize the federal government's foreign surveillance powers under FISA, though the vote split Utah's representatives.
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The bill includes increased oversight and penalties for surveillance abuses but did not pass an amendment to require warrants for surveilling Americans.
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Reps. Curtis and Owens voted against the final bill due to lack of sufficient privacy protections, while Reps. Moore and Maloy voted in favor citing included reforms.
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The bill's passage was briefly jeopardized by a social media statement from Trump confusing FISA sections and opposing the law for its links to the Russia investigation.
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The legislation now heads to the Senate, where Sen. Mike Lee has been an outspoken critic of warrantless surveillance and urged the House to include warrant requirements.