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US official: Heightened Islamic State threat requires surveillance action

WASHINGTON - The threat of Islamic State to the national security of the United States has heightened in the last two weeks, making it critical for Congress to renew surveillance authority, a senior US administration official said on Wednesday.

 

The law authorizing the US government to conduct domestic surveillance searches through a court approval process is due to expire if Congress does not pass an extension by Sunday.

 

The Senate so far has been unable to pass legislation despite overwhelming support in the House of Representatives for a bill that amends the current program with much more limited powers to collect information.

 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called for the Senate to meet at 4 pm EDT (8 pm GMT) on Sunday, but it is not clear whether there will be enough support to pass any legislation before the law's expiration.

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.28.15, 08:22