The House of Representatives passed a major bill outlining policy over foreign surveillance. If passed by the Senate (as is expected) the revision to the 1978 Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act (FISA) would provide major changes to existing law.
What the Bill Does
The new bill introduces several adjustments to existing surveillance law.
- The government will no longer be required to secure individual warrants to eavesdrop on foreign communications that pass through the US telecommunications system.
- Under certain conditions, AT&T and other telecom companies will be given legal immunity against lawsuits stemming from wiretaps conducted in the aftermath of 9/11. Each of over 40 pending cases will be reviewed to determine if the government made valid requests of the companies. If so, the cases would be dismissed.
House Passes FISA Bill Blogs and Commentaries
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When will Barack Obama be handed a health care reform bill to sign? What is the next step to this being law?(2 Answers)
A:
Probably in early February. After the conference committee hashes out a merged version, the Representatives and Senators will have another crack at venting their views. When it passes ...
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Bill passed June 21, 2008
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Result of over a year of negotiations
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Passed 293 to 129
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188 Republicans and 105 Democrats voted in favor
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Expires 2012
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Expected to pass Senate
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Fact:
Grants some legal immunity to telecommunications companies
