Legislation to rein in the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs has stalled in the House and Senate.
More than 130 House lawmakers in both parties have signed on as co-sponsors to legislation that would prevent the NSA from collecting bulk records about people’s phone calls. In the Senate, companion legislation has won 20 co-sponsors.
Both bills, however, have been stuck in their chambers’ respective Judiciary Committees since October, and committee aides say there are no plans to move them soon.
In the House, Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) seems to be waiting for the Obama administration to take a formal position on the USA Freedom Act, authored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), before scheduling a markup.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) wants to see what recommendations Attorney General Eric Holder and top intelligence leaders make by a March 28 deadline set by President Obama.
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Is anyone surprised? There has never been one example in history where the secret police has relinquished their power over the people without a revolution.
The government tipped their hand when they vilified Edward Snowden instead of addressing their illegal surveillance programs.
David DeGerolamo
