Terrorism
Deal Is Reached to Extend Patriot Act’s Surveillance Provisions
The American Civil Liberties Union is expressing disappointment that congressional leaders have reached an agreement to extend the USA Patriot Act without adding provisions to limit wiretap powers.
The expanded surveillance authority granted by the statute would be extended for four years under the deal, report the New York Times and Bloomberg News. The law was passed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Michelle Richardson, a legislative counsel for the ACLU, told the Times she was disappointed that negotiations resulted “in no reform and no long-lasting institutional oversight.” Even proposals for greater auditing and public reporting “are now down the drain for another four years,” she said.
