In a dramatic turn of events, the House of Representatives successfully passed the renewal of the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act (FISA) on Friday, despite previous failed attempts and opposition from former President Donald Trump. Trump had urged Congress to "kill" the legislation, claiming it had been misused to spy on his campaign.

The renewal of the FISA bill comes after the revelation that the FBI had improperly obtained two warrants to spy on Carter Page, a former aide to Trump's campaign. However, it is important to note that these warrants were obtained under a different section of FISA, known as Title I.

Earlier in the week, 19 Republicans had voted against advancing the legislation. However, under the new provision, which allows for a two-year timeline, these Republicans flipped their votes. This strategic move would provide them with an opportunity to revisit the legislation in the event of a potential second Trump administration, should he be reelected.

The renewed FISA bill includes several measures designed to address concerns regarding abuse. One of the key changes will require additional reporting requirements on queries made under the FISA bill. Additionally, the bill now mandates that any query involving a U.S. citizen in the FISA database must be approved by an FBI supervisor or staff attorney, further safeguarding the rights of American citizens.

The FISA renewal is seen as a significant step in maintaining national security and intelligence gathering capabilities. Proponents argue that the legislation is vital in detecting threats from foreign entities, while critics express concerns over potential violations of individual privacy.

As the bill awaits further consideration in the Senate, the renewed FISA legislation continues to be a subject of intense debate among lawmakers. The outcome of this renewal will undoubtedly shape the future of surveillance practices and the balance between national security and civil liberties in the United States.