[Mariner]

"The NSA would not need a warrant to record phone calls outside the country, even if the calls involved one participant inside the U.S. "

Correct, under the Patriot Act.

However, it is forbidden to obtain that info for any reason besides National Security.

And, I'm pretty sure Congress believes the executive cannot use it for any other purpose.

[Alberta's Child]

Congress has nobody to blame but themselves. They fell all over themselves to give this unprecedented power to the executive branch when George W. Bush was in the White House. Lot of folks right here on FreeRepublic warned that it was a bad idea.