Surveillance Bill Clears Key Hurdle in House, Putting It Back on Track

[ad_1] The House took a critical first step on Friday toward reauthorizing a law extending an expiring warrantless surveillance law that national security officials say is crucial to fighting terrorism, voting to take it up two days after a previous attempt to pass it collapsed. Grasping to salvage the measure before the law expires next week, Speaker Mike Johnson put forward a shorter extension — two years instead of five — in a move that appeared to win over hard-right Republicans who blocked the bill earlier this week. On a…

White House says Israeli troop reduction does not signal new strategy: 'They're tired'

[ad_1] U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 25, 2024.  Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters National Security Spokesman John Kirby on Sunday said that Israel’s decision to pull some troops out of Southern Gaza does not appear to indicate a shift in military strategy. “As we understand it, and through their public announcements, it is really just about rest and refit for these troops that have been on the ground for four months, and not necessarily — that we can…

House Passes Spending Bill to Avert Shutdown, Prompting G.O.P. Revolt

[ad_1] The House on Friday passed a $1.2 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September and avert a partial shutdown at the end of the week, setting off a G.O.P. revolt that threatened Speaker Mike Johnson’s hold on his job. In a 286-to-134 vote that came down to the wire as leaders scrounged for the two-thirds majority needed for passage, Democrats rallied to provide the support to overcome a furious swell of opposition by conservative Republicans. Infuriated by the painstakingly negotiated bipartisan legislation to keep funding flowing for…