Biden Greenlights Controversial Bill Extending US Government Surveillance Powers
Summary:
President Joe Biden has approved a contested bill extending the surveillance powers of US government agencies. Critics fear that the legislation, approved by the U.S. Senate and later signed by Biden, could threaten American privacy rights. While supporters emphasize its utility in counter-terrorism efforts, opponents argue the bill dramatically increases the surveillance authority of agencies like the NSA, FBI, and CIA. Notably, new legislation allows the U.S. government to compel a broader range of internet service providers to aid in surveillance activities.
The debatable bill that extends the United States government's power to monitor citizens has been authorized by President Biden, sparking concerns over potential infringements on American privacy. The U.S. Senate approved the legislation, altering and extending Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), with a 60-34 vote on April 20, and the President sanctioned it the following day. Advocates of the legislation, including President Biden and numerous representatives across the political spectrum, contended that it was integral for fortifying national security and aiding anti-terrorism operations. "The expiration of FISA would be detrimental. It plays a crucial role in our national security arsenal and aids law enforcement in thwarting terrorism, drug trafficking, and violent extremism," proclaimed Democratic leader of the Senate, Chuck Schumer. Conversely, detractors claimed the FISA alterations signal an impending epoch of meticulous surveillance, dramatically enhancing the powers of governmental authorities like the NSA, FBI, and CIA. An April 20 report by Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice's Liberty and National Security Program chastised those supporting the bill, accusing them of betraying American civil liberties. "It’s granting the NSA the ability to intrude on the communication resources of virtually all U.S. businesses, and an array of organizations and individuals; a boon for any president desiring to monitor political rivals or ideological adversaries," Goitein penned, dubbing this a lamentable chapter in U.S. Congressional history. Under current laws, agencies like the NSA can coerce internet service providers such as Google and Verizon into relinquishing critical information about their targets. With President Biden's endorsement of this bill, the government's surveillance reach will extend even further, enabling it to demand cooperation from a wide range of internet service providers. Both Republican and Democrats who value privacy initially opposed the bill, yet it was passed in the House of Representatives on April 13. An amendment to the legislation — a requirement for warrants for all internet surveillance — was narrowly rejected in the House. NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden described the FISA section 702 authorization as a significant loss and deemed the legislation unconstitutional. Democratic Senator Ron Wyden condemned the bill on April 13, calling it one of history's most alarming expansions of government surveillance.
Published At
4/22/2024 9:00:09 AM
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