Senate Rejects Bid To Prevent Warrantless Government Surveillance Of Internet Use

[Gman]

Senate Rejects Bid To Prevent Warrantless Government Surveillance Of Internet Use

The Senate on Wednesday narrowly defeated a measure seeking to prevent Americans? internet browsing and search histories from warrantless surveillance by the federal government.

The vote was 59 in favor, 37 opposed ― short of the necessary 60 votes needed for adoption.

Offered as an amendment by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) to the renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the vote on it was marked by a scrambling of the Senate?s partisan divide.

Backing the proposal were 34 Democrats, 24 Republicans and one independent. But, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) a prime opponent, voting against it were 27 Republicans and 10 Democrats.

?Is it right at this unique time when millions of law-abiding citizens are at home, for the government to be able to spy on their internet searches and web browsing without a warrant?? Wyden, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, asked on Wednesday, referring to the coronavirus epidemic. ?That?s exactly what the government has the power to do without our amendment.?