Two surveillance bills are barreling their way through the US House of Representatives this week. Both claim to achieve roughly the same goal—enact sweeping reforms and save a dying surveillance program beleaguered by “persistent and widespread” abuse.
Under this program, Section 702, the United States government collects hundreds of millions of phone calls, emails, and text messages each year. An inestimable chunk belongs to American citizens, permanent residents, and others in the United States neither suspected nor accused of any crime.
While both bills would extend the program’s life, only one of them can credibly lay claim to the title of reform. Legislation introduced last week by Representative Andy Biggs in the House Judiciary Committee would require the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to obtain warrants before accessing the communications of Americans collected…
