"Battle for Surveillance Reform: Trump Allies, Congress Clash Over Government's Spying Power"
The House Intelligence Committee has advanced a bill that would expand the federal government's warrantless surveillance powers, drawing criticism from civil liberties advocates who describe it as the largest expansion of domestic government surveillance since the Patriot Act. The bill, supported by Trump allies, would increase surveillance agencies' access to the communications of U.S. citizens with minimal oversight or restrictions. The House Judiciary Committee has proposed a competing bill that would require warrants for data collection and has gained support from both progressive and conservative lawmakers. The two bills will be voted on this week, with the Intelligence Committee bill being quietly supported by the White House and senior intelligence officials.