House GOP pushes spy powers vote to April amid opposition

The Hill
by Emily Brooks
March 20, 2026
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3 min read

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House Republicans delayed a foreign surveillance reauthorization vote to April due to bipartisan opposition.

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House Republican leaders have delayed a vote on reauthorizing foreign surveillance powers to April, abandoning their plan for a "clean" reauthorization next week amid bipartisan opposition to the program. The delay signals fracturing support within both parties for the surveillance authorities, which have faced criticism from civil liberties advocates and lawmakers concerned about privacy and government overreach. Without swift passage, the foreign intelligence collection powers face uncertainty as the April deadline looms and opposition prevents the straightforward vote GOP leaders had sought. The holdup reflects broader tensions within Congress over balancing national security needs against privacy protections, with the timing suggesting GOP leaders lack the votes for an uncontested passage.

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House GOP leaders postponed the vote on reauthorizing foreign intelligence collection powers to April.

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