Dropping the “F-Word”: Ron Wyden, Rand Paul Threaten to Filibuster Government Surveillance Bill

The US House passed a long-term extension to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Wednesday. In immediate response, US Sens. Ron Wyden and Rand Paul threatened to filibuster.

Section 702 of FISA authorizes the federal government to conduct foreign surveillance on US soil. Privacy advocates say the language of the bill is so broad that surveillance agencies can “intentionally and inherently” sweep Americans’ communications, raising a serious constitutional issue.

For years, Section 702 has been renewed with little debate or review by policymakers, something Rand Paul has taken exception too. He said in December that he would filibuster any long-term FISA extension that was pushed through without debate or proper legislative procedure.

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Looks like Rand Paul and Ron Wyden are back on the filibuster. This time, on government surveillance authority.