Obama, Democrats Push to Make Bush Spying Laws Permanent

[ieoeja]

47. Bush era FISA vs pre-Bush era FISA

Pre-Bush since 1978: (on edit: Ted Kennedy was one of the authors)

- one year warrantless surveillance of non-citizens believed to be working with a foreign power against the United States
- three day warrantless surveillance of citizens ...
- surveillance of communications not allowed


Clinton era not enacted until Bush since 2001:

- "foreign power" may be a terrorist organization, not just a foreign government. This was added as part of the USPATRIOT act written in 1998 by a committee chaired by then VP Al Gore.


Bush era since 2007:

- surveillance of international communications allowed, including domestic communications with an international element, e.g. between a source located in the United States and a source located outside the United States


The only thing about FISA that is truly Bush is that last point.