Pressure mounts as Congress dives into NSA fight

[jakeXT]

Congress is under new pressure to take action on the National Security Agency’s controversial surveillance program, as a deadline looms near and questions swirl about the legality of its data collection practices.

Lawmakers have only 10 legislative days to renew portions of the Patriot Act set to expire on June 1, and there are deep divides in both parties over how to move forward.

Unusual political partnerships and varying motives leave serious doubts about what Congress will do as it sprints towards the finish line, even as a top court demands legislative action.

“Where I think it’s going — God I wish I knew, although I don’t think I’m alone in that,” said Amie Stepanovich, the U.S. policy manager for digital rights group Access and a supporter of legislation to reform the NSA. “Everybody’s kind of crystal balling it at this point.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other hawkish Republicans, including Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (Ariz.), freshman firebrand Sen. Tom Cotton (Ark.), presidential hopeful Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (N.C.), want to extend the existing program without change.


http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/nsa/241511-pressure-mounts-as-congress-dives-into-nsa-fight

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. 'Oh shit, you man this time I have to actually READ the bill???"

Remember that some Congress people, including Feinstein, complained they never got a chance to read the Patriot Act.

Of course , it never occurred to any of them to say they would not vote until they HAD read it.