Congress Scrambles For Vote On Massive Surveillance Bill Set To Expire By The End Of The Year

With only days left before the expiration of a massive surveillance bill and Congress’ Christmas recess, many lawmakers are either scrambling to reinstate the law’s programs, or are resisting and stalling to see deep changes, and even maybe its ultimate demise.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), specifically Section 702, which was created through congressional amendments to a previous bill, empowers federal intelligence agencies with the ability to collect data on foreigners suspected of crimes. But due to the inherent nature of surveillance, as well as the broad powers ostensibly afforded in the law, the communications of law-abiding Americans are often scooped up in the process as well.

Primarily due to these circumstances, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky says he is willing to go to last-resort measures to stop it from being renewed in full.

http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/21/congress-delays-vote-on-governments-ma...