Posted on 03/16/2020 3:54:05 PM PDT by jazusamo
The Senate cleared a nearly four-month extension of intelligence programs that expired on Sunday as part of a deal that will also allow for votes on broader surveillance reforms.
The Senate had been expected to hold an initial procedural vote Monday on the House-passed bill that paired extension of the three expired USA Freedom Act provisions with some changes to the court established by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Instead, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) came to the floor minutes before the scheduled vote and passed a 77-day extension of the three USA Freedom Act provisions.
The extension is retroactive to Saturday.
Senate Republicans had indicated on Monday that they had reopened negotiations with privacy hawks on a short-term extension.
As part of the deal, the Senate will vote on amendments once it turns to the House legislation, including a proposal from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to block FISA warrants from being used against Americans.
“The extension is retroactive to Saturday. “
Gosh - even covers illegal eavesdropping in the People when there was no law allowing it in force....
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