Security News > 2020 > March > US Congress: Spying law is flawed, open to abuse, and lacking in accountability – so let's reauthorize it

Despite recent revelations that the process by which the FBI and NSA gain approval for spying on US citizens is open to abuse, the US Congress is again planning to reauthorize the USA Freedom Act that gives those measures their legal foundation.

The situation is similar to two years ago, when a group of senators fiercely opposed the reauthorization of another flawed spying program without significant reforms, but were defeated when it was attached to an end-of-year spending bill: something critics characterized as "An end-run around the Constitution."

The House Freedom Caucus, which comprises conservatives and libertarians, has put out a statement condemning the bill and at least one member has publicly urged President Trump to refuse to sign it.

Due to an almost entirely opaque process in which there is rarely an opportunity for counter-arguments, critics have long warned that the process is wide open to abuse.

Many Republican Senators want me to Veto the FISA Bill until we find out what led to, and happened with, the illegal attempted "Coup" of the duly elected President of the United States, and others!

News URL

https://go.theregister.co.uk/feed/www.theregister.co.uk/2020/03/12/us_congress_spying_law/