Here are three provisions that Congress took up this week and extended for four years:
Roving wiretaps. This provision gives intelligence officials authority to conduct surveillance on terrorist suspects regardless of how many
communication devices they use (such as cellphones or the Internet). Approval for the surveillance must be obtained from a federal court.
Law-enforcement agencies have been able to use wiretaps for criminal investigations since 1986.
Business records. Another provision allows access to business records in cases involving terrorism, foreign intelligence, or espionage, with approval
of a federal judge.
Lone wolf. In 2004, Congress amended the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to authorize intelligence gathering on individuals not affiliated with
any known terrorist organization, with a sunset date to correspond with the Patriot Act provisions. The provision, which is thus technically not part
of the Patriot Act, is explicit in saying it does not to apply to US citizens.
On Wednesday, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper wrote to congressional leaders warning that any lapse in the provisions of the law
carried national security risks, especially following the killing of Osama bin Laden.
Full story here
Sorry I'll have to add my thoughts later... right now I'm struggling for control of my computer with my 3yo granddaughter... she's
winning...
edit on 27-5-2011 by DaddyBare because: (no reason given)
