Senate Republicans on May 26 filibustered controversial House-passed legislation designed to combat “domestic terrorism,” but critics say that the bill is a thinly-veiled effort to create “Thought Police” for members of the military and law enforcement officers.

The 47–47 vote comes as little surprise, as Republicans have long been skeptical of efforts by Democrats to expand the reach of federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) voted with Republicans to filibuster the bill to open up the possibility for reconsideration of the legislation at a later date.

H.R. 350, dubbed the “Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022,” would “authorize dedicated domestic terrorism offices within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to analyze and monitor domestic terrorist activity and require the Federal Government to take steps to prevent domestic terrorism.”