A Democratic congressman who wants to outlaw the use of federal funds for government “back doors” into commercial devices is pushing back on House leadership for refusing to allow the amendment to come up for a vote as part of the annual defense authorization bill.

“I am deeply disappointed and equally concerned that House Republicans continue to put politics ahead of national security,” Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) said in a Thursday statement.

Lieu’s amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would have prohibited the use of funds to mandate or request back doors into commercial products — like cellphones — that could be used to circumvent a device’s encryption.

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The California Democrat has been an outspoken proponent of strong end-to-end encryption amid the national debate over how much access should be granted to law enforcement.

Congress has waded in with a number of competing proposals in the wake of the high-profile spat between Apple and the FBI this spring, but members have been unable to coalesce around a single bill.

One controversial draft being circulated by Sens. Richard Burr Richard Mauze BurrRep. Mark Walker says he's been contacted about Liberty University vacancy Overnight Defense: Trump rejects major cut to military health care | Senate report says Trump campaign's Russia contacts posed 'grave' threat Senate report describes closer ties between 2016 Trump campaign, Russia MORE (R-N.C.) and Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinMcConnell says Trump nominee to replace Ginsburg will get Senate vote Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence Intensifying natural disasters do little to move needle on climate efforts MORE (D-Calif.) would force companies to provide “technical assistance” to investigators seeking access to locked devices.

Meanwhile, a compromise measure from House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Sen. Mark Warner Mark Robert WarnerIntelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Overnight Defense: Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing l Air Force reveals it secretly built and flew new fighter jet l Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' House approves bill to secure internet-connected federal devices against cyber threats MORE (D-Va.) would establish a commission to study the topic.

But the Burr-Feinstein offering has yet to be formally introduced and the McCaul-Warner measure appears stymied by a jurisdictional dispute in the House.

The debate has sharply divided law-and-order lawmakers with those sympathetic to technologists and privacy advocates, who argue that providing any form of guaranteed access to encrypted communications would undermine the security of internet users.

“It is clear that House Republicans are not prioritizing cybersecurity,” Lieu said Thursday. “It is shortsighted and dangerous to let our national security be endangered by inaction on the increasingly urgent issue of cybersecurity.”