Senate Blocks Warrant Rule for Secret Internet Surveillance
- Amendment defeated as Senate considers expired FISA authority
- Senate backs separate change to secret court operations
Photographer: Ammna Mir/EyeEm via Getty Images
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The Senate fell one vote short of adopting an amendment that would have required a search warrant for the government to conduct secret surveillance of internet users’ search and web browsing data.
The 59-37 vote Wednesday, with 60 needed to adopt the amendment, was a defeat for privacy advocates. Four senators weren’t present, at least one of whom would have voted in favor of the measure.