Radio host Glenn Beck fumed at the 147 Republicans who voted in favor of reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) without any reforms.
The House voted Thursday to reauthorize Section 702 with 72 Republicans and 45 Democrats voting in opposition of the provision. The provision has allowed intelligence officials to surveil Americans without obtaining a warrant, leading the House Judiciary Committee to propose a bill earlier in the month to reform it.
Beck did not mince words on the 147 Republicans during an interview with Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who voted against the reauthorization. Massie said these Republicans have been “tricked” into believing this act helps prevent terrorism.
“I’m sorry, but, I’m sorry, Thomas, I don’t mean to … I’m probably as mad as you are but you’re being much too kind,” Beck said. “I’m sorry, if you’re in Congress and you’ve fallen into that trap which has been used over and over and over again by both sides, you’re a moron and not smart enough to be in Washington, D.C., Sorry.”
“It’s Lucy and a football for some of us who have seen it about three times because this program comes up for reauthorization every four years or so, but you’re right. They use the same tricks over and over and in the classified rooms, they give you examples of how this program’s been used to stop terrorists, but they don’t give you examples on how this is used to spy on Americans without a warrant has ever been used to help stop a terrorist.” (RELATED”: ‘Threw Away The Fourth Amendment’: Thomas Massie Literally Breathless After Republicans Side With Dems On FISA Extension)
Beck said the government does not need any more power and suggested liberals are hypocrites for worrying about former President Donald Trump being a dictator while supporting government surveillance without a warrant. He said a terrorist attack will occur in the U.S. because of the “wide open” borders.
“You cannot have it both ways!” Beck continued. “You can’t say we have to have this tool because terrorist attacks are going to happen, but we’re letting 5,000 people in every day! You can’t have it both ways!”
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Massie agreed, saying Beck’s frustration reflects that of himself and his constituents.
Democratic Connecticut Rep. Jim Hines said the extension vote is necessary to protect Americans, according to The Hill.
“You can air drop the whole reform bill into the NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act]. And you know, he decided not to do that. OK, that’s fair. But what you can’t do is not have a temporary extension. Because the next likely vehicle for reauthorization is the Jan. 19 successor to the [continuing resolution]. So just that alone is a potential 19-day, no-702 period, which is the period in which Americans get killed,” Himes told The Hill.