The program enables US intelligence agencies to conduct electronic surveillance without seeking a judicial warrant. / Photo: AFP archive
Senators voted 60-34 on Saturday shortly after midnight to pass the bill, and the White House said President Joe Biden will"swiftly sign the bill into law." In particular, it allows them to sweep up communications, including phone calls and emails, of non-Americans anywhere outside of US territory. That includes communications from US citizens to foreigners targeted for monitoring.
The authority under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act has been denounced by privacy and civil liberties advocates.Former president Donald Trump, who wants to unseat Biden in the election this fall, got involved in the negotiations by urging lawmakers last week to"Kill FISA."