Since it expired at midnight and reauthorization passed after midnight, was there a period where the government acted illegally in continuing surveillance? How does that work?
Senate passes reauthorization of key US surveillance program after midnight
11–20 of 243 posts
Re: Senate passes reauthorization of key US surveillance program after midnight
#12Here is a link to how the senators voted[1].
[1]https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1...
Unfortunately both my senators voted for it. I did call their offices Thursday to no avail.
Re: Senate passes reauthorization of key US surveillance program after midnight
#13Does anyone want to suggest some reasons why, the one thing that D+R always, always, always agree on is this: US Gov/LEO/IC must be gifted the most power possible to surveil Americans who are not suspected of a crime
I would imagine because the IC already uses those same surveillance powers to get dirt on enough politicians to make sure this happens.
Re: Senate passes reauthorization of key US surveillance program after midnight
#14Does anyone want to suggest some reasons why, the one thing that D+R always, always, always agree on is this: US Gov/LEO/IC must be gifted the most power possible to surveil Americans who are not suspected of a crime
The bureaucrats regularly present scary information to the politicians to justify their actions and powers. The juiciest bits of intelligence are intentionally selected for escalation up the chain, with many being presented ASAP at the highest levels (SECDEF, President) and/or retained for later demonstration to oversight authorities (FISA court, Congressional committees). While much of "raw" intelligence is not reliable, the agencies can curate the best (most believable/most sensational/most verified) intelligence reports over time.
Given recent events in the Middle East and the fact that both parties' senior politicians mostly lean the same way in terms of which sides they support, this result is unsurprising if disappointing.
Re: Senate passes reauthorization of key US surveillance program after midnight
#15[deleted]
Re: Senate passes reauthorization of key US surveillance program after midnight
#16Since it expired at midnight and reauthorization passed after midnight, was there a period where the government acted illegally in continuing surveillance? How does that work?
Legally there wasn't a need to rush, the FISA court had certified the process until 2025. [1]
But probably companies could have stopped cooperating and challenged it in court.
[1] https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-urges...
Re: Senate passes reauthorization of key US surveillance program after midnight
#17Does anyone want to suggest some reasons why, the one thing that D+R always, always, always agree on is this: US Gov/LEO/IC must be gifted the most power possible to surveil Americans who are not suspected of a crime
horseshoe theory. D+R are not so different. D in US is more right than other countries' left leaning parties
Minor correction
> D in US is more right than other countries' left leaning parties
D in US is more right than other countries' right leaning parties
Re: Senate passes reauthorization of key US surveillance program after midnight
#18Does anyone want to suggest some reasons why, the one thing that D+R always, always, always agree on is this: US Gov/LEO/IC must be gifted the most power possible to surveil Americans who are not suspected of a crime
horseshoe theory. D+R are not so different. D in US is more right than other countries' left leaning parties
> D in US is more right than other countries' left leaning parties
I don't think this is accurate. Maybe on healthcare and welfare, sure. But on many social issues, the Democrats are much further to the left than the European left. On issues such as abortion, gender/sexuality, migration, and race, the Democrats are more extreme compared to Labour in the UK, SPD in Germany, and the PSOE in Spain. Even the left in France isn't as socially extremist as the Democrats.
Re: Senate passes reauthorization of key US surveillance program after midnight
#19Does anyone want to suggest some reasons why, the one thing that D+R always, always, always agree on is this: US Gov/LEO/IC must be gifted the most power possible to surveil Americans who are not suspected of a crime
I would imagine because the IC already uses those same surveillance powers to get dirt on enough politicians to make sure this happens.
They had to add a rule about not using it to spy on Congress. That tells you all you need to know about how often fisa is abused.
Re: Senate passes reauthorization of key US surveillance program after midnight
#20Does anyone want to suggest some reasons why, the one thing that D+R always, always, always agree on is this: US Gov/LEO/IC must be gifted the most power possible to surveil Americans who are not suspected of a crime
I suspect in the incentives, the downside risk weighs much heavier for these people. If they block surveillance powers and another 9/11 happened they'd be dragged over the coals, whereas approving them is pretty risk free.