U.S. Senate Passes Bill to Extend Government Spy Powers Despite Opposition
In a late-night session, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to extend government spy powers for two years, just hours after the previous powers expired. Despite bipartisan support for the bill, some senators on the far left and right opposed it.
The bill extends Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, allowing the government to gather communications without a warrant. Privacy advocates have long pushed for a warrant requirement, expressing concerns about potential misuse of the surveillance law.
President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law, marking the end of a journey filled with debate and unlikely alliances between Democrats and Republicans. The House had passed the reauthorization bill last week after three failed attempts, with former President Donald Trump’s influence complicating the process.
In the Senate, key Democrats proposed amendments to the bill, which the White House actively campaigned against. The amendments were put up for a vote Friday night and ultimately failed, leading to the passage of the bill early Saturday morning.
The extension of government spy powers has raised questions about privacy rights and the balance between national security and civil liberties. As the bill heads to President Biden’s desk for signature, the conversation surrounding surveillance and government overreach is sure to continue. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.