This is the kind of nonsense that happens when you replace a political party with a clown show. Let’s unpack this a bit: 
1. FISA is a bill that was created in the aftermath of 9/11 to allow our intelligence agencies to better monitor communications from bad guys even if they are communicating on new communication networks and/or with US nationals. It was in place through the Trump administration.
2. As with any surveillance bill, there are balances between US civil liberties to be factored in and we have rules to protect. That is a conversation one could have. But that’s not the point of today’s clown-o-rama.
3. The data we are talking about here is information that our adversaries already have. Suppose two terrorists are plotting an attack on the US in a foreign country and a US national is on the same chat thread. Do you want the US to have that intel too? I sure do.
4. But today was about process. Our intel and judiciary committees were working through rules and procedures to balance all those equities… and then a whole bunch of Rs voted against the “rule”. A procedural motion that must pass in order for floor debate and votes to start.
5. Rules didn’t fail when Dems were in charge because it is moronic and nihilistic to vote against a rule introduced by your own party. But in this Congress, Rs vote against their party rules all the time. Morons and nihilists aplenty, I guess.
6. They voted no because… Trump tweeted at them? Yeah, more or less. Not only morons and nihilists but also cowards who are afraid to alienate a twice-impeached, rapist/seditionist who’s going to trial next week for campaign finance violations made to hide his adultery.
7. And make no mistake. When leadership loses that many of their own members IT IS NOT A SURPRISE. And yet now the House doesn’t know what we’re doing this week because the calendar - which was predicated on debate and vote on that bill, this week - is frozen.
8. So if you’d like our intelligence agencies to work, to have Congress debate and craft legislation that balances public safety and civil liberties, to have Congress work this week… too bad for you.
9. Because Trump tweeted. And moronic, nihilistic cowards jumped. And a Speaker with no prior leadership experience acted like a guy who’s new at this job. It’s so offensive and disrespectful. To the institution, to the country and to all those we serve.
10. Grr. That’s all I’ve got. Just grr. But we have GOT TO GET adults back in charge of this institution. A House run by drooling sycophants is not good for any of us. /fin
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