House ‘fix’ of spy program seen as ineffectual, watered down

[LuckyTheDog]

While members of Congress reveled in a rare show of bipartisanship Thursday as they approved legislation to dramatically change the federal government's beleaguered bulk data collection system, an influential chorus of critics warned the bill was little more than a watered-down feel-good exercise.

The 303-121 vote in the House of Representatives for the USA Freedom Act got lavish praise from key members of both political parties. Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Mich., talked of a "sweet spot" between maintaining national security and protecting Americans' privacy, and a parade of politicians about to head home for a long Memorial Day recess agreed.

But just beneath the surface were serious concerns. The bill now goes to the Senate, where Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said he was disappointed the changes didn't go far enough.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who has been active on surveillance issues, had stronger feelings. "I am gravely concerned that the changes that have been made to the House version of this bill have watered it down so far that it fails to protect Americans from suspicion-less mass surveillance," he said.

MORE HERE: http://wonkynewsnerd.com/house-fix-spy-program-seen-ineffectual-watered/

[Turbineguy]

1. The republicans would probably

like to allow things like Watergate.