'I genuinely don’t know': House Republicans confused about critical bill after chaotic meeting

10 April 2024

Journalist Michael Tomasky warned in a January op-ed "that nothing productive or beneficial will come from the GOP majority that is taking over the House."

ABC News reported during the same month that "the 118th Congress is on track to being one of the least functional sessions ever, with only 34 bills passed since January of last year."

On Wednesday, GOP lawmakers left a meeting regarding federal surveillance legislation hard-right Freedom Caucus members blocked feeling unaccomplished, and unclear about next steps on the bill, according to Axios.

Per the report, the legislation "would reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows warrantless surveillance of non-Americans by U.S. intelligence agencies."

The meeting also included some GOP lawmakers demanding "punishment against Republicans who defect and vote against their party on procedural measures," Axios notes.

Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) told the news outlet "he called for 'severe sanction' against such lawmakers — including possibly stripping them of their 'committee assignments or their membership in the Republican Conference.'"

The meeting was "pure chaos" and not "productive at all," according to Rep. Max Miller (R-OH).

"I don't even know what we're doing tomorrow … I genuinely don't know," the Ohio congressman told Axios.

"Members yell at each other," Miller emphasized, "if anyone says there's a path forward on FISA, they're lying," he added.

"The conference is heated, emotional," Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) told the news outlet. "I don't know if it's going to lead to a solution."

Axios' full report is available here.

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