FISA Continues

For John, BLUF:  FISA, or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act,, which allows a secret panel to allow wiretaps of American Citizens. was reauthorized.  This is not good for the Republic or for our individuaal Rights.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Congress Approves Extension of Warrantless Surveillance as Part of the Defense Policy Bill

Here is the sub-headline:

Why won’t the Supreme Court hear cases challenging surveillance under Section 702?

From Legal Insurrection, by Ms Mary Chastain, Thursday, 14 December 2023 at 03:00pm.

Here is the lede plus one:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

What did Congress do today?

It extended Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until mid-April. The vote was 310-118.

Section 702 of FISA became official in 2008. Do you know what it contains?  A provision that it should “be conducted in a manner consistent with the fourth amendment.”

Except it allows too much wiggle room that allows warrantless surveillance of Americans in America.  (By the way, the Constitution applies to citizens no matter where the citizen is in the world.)

The good news is that neither of our Senators (E Warren or E Markey) voted for it.

The bad news is that it is still out there to be abused by Federal Law Enforement, as it was in 2016 aginst those associated with the Trump Campaign, like4 Mr Carter Page.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff