Republican Sen. Rand Paul railed against a bipartisan deal in the House to extend three provisions in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
The Kentucky lawmaker called the deal “weak sauce” and a “big disappointment.”
“None of the reforms prevent secret FISA court from abusing the rights of Americans. None of the reforms prevent a President of either party from a politically motivated investigation,” he tweeted Tuesday.
The ‘Deal’ on FISA is weak sauce diluted & made impotent by A.G. Barr. None of the reforms prevent secret FISA court from abusing the rights of Americans. None of the reforms prevent a President of either party from a politically motivated investigation. Big Disappointment!
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 10, 2020
The provisions in the USA Freedom Act, a 2015 law that revamped the country’s intelligence programs, are set to expire at the end of the week. If passed, the reauthorization bill would extend three provisions on roving wiretaps, lone wolf surveillance, and a controversial program that allows the government to request access to phone metadata.
The House could vote on the measure as soon as Wednesday, which would give the Senate four days before the March 15 expiration.
Intelligence agencies have said the extension of the measures is important to national security, but President Trump said last week he would not sign the bill unless there are changes. Trump has claimed the FBI abused the surveillance law to spy on his 2016 presidential campaign and then to launch an investigation into allegations that he colluded with Russia to win the White House.
