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Surveillance Program

All articles tagged with #surveillance program

politics1 year ago•4 min saved

"Renewed FISA Spy Program Clears Key House Hurdle Amid GOP Upheaval"

The House has passed a bill to renew a portion of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) known as Section 702 for two years, following a conservative revolt that initially prevented the legislation from reaching the floor. The reauthorization, which allows the U.S. government to collect foreign intelligence without a warrant, faced opposition from some Republicans who sought more significant reforms. The bill's passage comes after months of GOP divisions over the FISA surveillance program, with concerns raised about civil liberties violations and the FBI's use of the intelligence repository.

via CBS News|

#fisa #house-gop #national-security

national-security1 year ago•3 min saved

FBI Director Warns Congress of Potential Coordinated Attack in US Following Russian Shooting

FBI director Christopher Wray is set to warn Congress about the elevated threats to public safety and national security in the US, citing concerns about a possible organized attack similar to the recent Russian concert hall massacre. He emphasizes the need for fiscal support to tackle these threats and urges lawmakers to renew the expiring US surveillance program, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Wray also highlights the rising foreign terror threats in the US following the Israel-Hamas War, stressing the importance of vigilance while reassuring that there is no specific or credible threat at the moment.

via The Independent|

#fbi #national-security #organized-attack

national-security1 year ago•2 min saved

"FBI Director Raises Alarm Over Potential Coordinated Attack in US Following Russia Massacre"

FBI Director Christopher Wray expresses concern about the potential for a coordinated attack in the United States following the deadly concert hall massacre in Russia, urging lawmakers to renew a U.S. surveillance program set to expire this month as an indispensable tool against U.S. adversaries. The FBI is worried about the possibility of an attack inspired by the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and Wray emphasizes the need for vigilance in securing the nation against elevated threats to public safety and national security.

via Reuters|

#coordinated-attack #fbi #national-security

politics1 year ago•3 min saved

House GOP Chaos: Conservative Revolt Blocks Reauthorization of U.S. Spy Tool

A bill to reauthorize a national security surveillance program was blocked by a conservative revolt in the House, leading to uncertainty about its passage before the April 19 deadline. The bill aimed to renew the program with reforms, but faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. Former President Donald Trump urged to "kill" the measure, citing misuse against his campaign. The program, known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, has been controversial due to concerns about civil liberties violations and FBI abuses. Despite the looming deadline, the Biden administration expects the program's authority to remain operational for another year.

via PBS NewsHour|

#conservative-revolt #fisa #national-security

politics1 year ago•8 min saved

"Speaker Johnson's Critical Dilemma: Ukraine Aid Threatens His Speakership"

House Speaker Mike Johnson faces challenges as Congress returns, including pressure to pass a long-stalled military aid package for Ukraine, a threat to his speakership from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and divisive issues within the Republican party. The upcoming deadlines to renew a controversial surveillance program and reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as funding for a new bridge in Baltimore following a collapse, add to the complexity. Additionally, the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and aid to Israel are among the other pressing matters.

via NBC News|

#congress #politics #republican-majority

politics2 years ago•3 min saved

"Republicans Grill Treasury Sec. Yellen Over Surveillance of Americans' Transactions"

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen faced tough questioning from Republicans over the Treasury Department's instructions to banks to search Americans' transaction records for potential extremism following January 6. The instructions included using search terms like 'MAGA' and 'Trump' and monitoring purchases at outdoor stores and of religious texts. Yellen promised to investigate the matter but deflected many questions, claiming she did not know much about the situation. Additionally, she was grilled over the unfreezing of $6 billion in funding to Iran, with Republicans expressing concerns about the potential misuse of the funds.

via Daily Mail|

#extremism #financial-institutions #politics

politics2 years ago•2 min saved

Congress Approves Defense Bill with Troop Pay Raise and Ukraine Funding

The House has passed the annual defense policy bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a 5.2% pay raise for troops, funding for Ukraine, and an extension of a controversial foreign surveillance program. The bill faced opposition from House conservatives due to the extension of Section 702 and the omission of culture war amendments. The House version, filled with controversial amendments, was rejected by the Senate, leading to a compromise version. The bill now awaits President Joe Biden's approval.

via USA TODAY|

#defense-bill #military-pay-raises #national-defense-authorization-act

politics2 years ago•3 min saved

"Congress Approves Historic Pay Increase for Troops, Awaits Senate Approval"

Congress has passed a US defense policy bill that authorizes the largest pay increase for troops in over 20 years. The bill, which received bipartisan support, does not include provisions blocking the Pentagon's abortion travel policy or restricting gender-affirming healthcare for transgender service members. However, Republicans secured concessions on diversity and inclusion training in the military. The bill also includes a short-term extension of a surveillance program, which has drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. It sets key Pentagon policy and authorizes $886 billion for national defense programs. The bill now awaits President Joe Biden's signature.

via The Guardian US|

#defense-bill #pentagon-policy #politics

defense2 years ago•5 min saved

"Senate Approves $886 Billion Defense Bill with Troop Pay Raises and Ukraine Aid"

The Senate and House Armed Services committees have released a $886.3 billion defense bill that includes the largest raise for service members in over two decades, extends a controversial surveillance program, and strengthens the US posture in the Indo-Pacific region to deter Chinese actions. The bill does not include provisions related to abortion and transgender health care access but includes measures aimed at "ending wokeness in the military." It also provides support for service members and their families, authorizes the use of psychedelic substances and cannabis for clinical trials, and addresses issues related to warrantless surveillance, China aggression, and Covid-19 vaccine mandates.

via CNN|

#china #defense #defense-bill

politics2 years ago•4 min saved

Senate Approves Historic Defense Policy Bill with Pay Raises and Ukraine Aid

The Senate has passed a defense policy bill that includes the largest pay raise for troops in over two decades, but it has left out several policy priorities of social conservatives, leading to a divisive debate. The bill does not include language blocking the Pentagon's abortion travel policy or restricting gender-affirming healthcare for transgender service members. However, Republicans secured concessions on diversity and inclusion training in the military. The bill also includes a short-term extension of a surveillance program, which has faced bipartisan pushback due to concerns about privacy. The bill sets key Pentagon policy and authorizes $886 billion for national defense programs. It addresses issues related to Ukraine and China, but some House Republicans are opposing it due to the Pentagon's abortion reimbursement policy.

via NBC News|

#china #defense-policy-bill #politics

politics2 years ago•4 min saved

"Renewal of Controversial Surveillance Program Urged to Protect National Security"

The annual defense policy bill includes a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows warrantless surveillance of foreign nationals. The extension has sparked intense pushback from some lawmakers, particularly on the right. Supporters argue that Section 702 is crucial for national security, but critics raise concerns about potential misuse and violations of Americans' privacy. Tensions have arisen within the House Republican Conference over the bill, with House Speaker Mike Johnson facing opposition. Negotiations are ongoing, and Senate leaders have expressed their commitment to work on a bipartisan reform bill next year.

via CNN|

#defense-policy-bill #fisa #leadership-test

politics2 years ago•1 min saved

"Congress Grapples with Extending Controversial Surveillance Program Amidst Trust Concerns"

Lawmakers have reached a bipartisan agreement to temporarily extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) through April, as part of negotiations on the National Defense Authorization Act. The compromise still needs to be finalized and pass in both the Senate and the House. There are ongoing efforts to reform FISA, particularly Section 702, which allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect data from foreign persons abroad. Some lawmakers argue for a warrant requirement, while proponents of the program claim it is necessary for national security. The temporary extension will provide more time for a potential compromise.

via NBC News|

#bipartisan-agreement #fisa #national-defense-authorization-act

politics2 years ago•5 min saved

FBI Director Urges Congress to Extend Controversial Surveillance Program

FBI Director Christopher Wray defended the controversial surveillance program, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, in a Senate hearing, arguing that it is crucial for combating cybercrime and terrorism. However, critics, including Senator Mike Lee, accused the FBI of abusing the program to surveil Americans. The program, which is set to expire at the end of the month, allows intelligence agencies to monitor foreign communications but has raised concerns about civil rights violations. Wray assured lawmakers that past issues have been addressed, but critics remain skeptical and are pushing for reforms to protect Americans' privacy.

via USA TODAY|

#civil-rights-violations #fbi #politics

national-security2 years ago•2 min saved

The Importance of Surveillance Programs in Solving Major Cases

Senior US government officials have warned of serious national security risks if the Section 702 statute of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is not renewed. The statute allows US agencies to conduct warrantless searches of information of non-Americans living outside the US, which includes communications carried out via US telecom or email providers. The officials declined to share specifics of cases in which the program had been useful, but said that the database is critical to countering threats against the US. Critics, including rights groups and some members of Congress, are calling for substantial reforms and requiring a warrant for searches of Americans' information on the database.

via Reuters.com|

#national-security #national-security-risks #privacy-rights

us2 years ago•2 min saved

FBI's warrantless searches of Americans' data drop significantly following reforms.

The FBI's warrantless searches of U.S. citizens' electronic data under a surveillance program dropped by nearly 94% last year, according to an annual report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The decline follows a series of major reforms instituted by the FBI, resulting in changes to FBI "systems, processes, and training relating to U.S. person queries." The reduction was not the goal of the reforms, and the number could increase again in future years. The report comes amid an intensifying debate in Congress about the reauthorization of legal authorities permitted under Section 702, which is due to expire at the end of this year.

via CBS News|

#fbi #reforms #section-702