Fergie's Tech Blog

Groups Oppose Cheney-Specter Wiretapping Bill

Via CDT.org.

More than 30 groups from across the political spectrum today sent a letter urging Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) to abandon a proposal that would authorize unchecked, warrantless surveillance of Americans in the United States.

Ostensibly intended to bring the White House's warrantless surveillance programs under some sort of judicial review, the proposed legislative "compromise" does not bind the administration to make any changes to its programs if they are deemed by a court to be overreaching.

The bill also provides broad new surveillance powers to this and future administrations. The groups made it clear that even maintaining the status quo would be preferable to passing the Specter-Cheney compromise.

posted by Fergie @ 8/02/2006 02:00:00 PM