Senate Advances Three-Year Spy Powers Bill Amid Privacy Concerns
The U.S. Senate is currently circulating a bill aimed at extending key surveillance powers for three years, as the deadline for the current authorization approaches. This legislation, which builds on a House bill, has not been publicly released but is being reviewed by senators. A procedural vote is expected soon. The bill seeks to address privacy concerns by including penalties, reviews, and restrictions on the use of information obtained from surveillance in criminal prosecutions of Americans. It also proposes narrowing the definition of an Electronic Communications Service Provider to limit who must provide data to the government. Additionally, the bill includes a three-year prohibition on the Federal Reserve issuing a Central Bank Digital Currency, a move to appease House conservatives. The legislation has been signed off by Senate Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton, Vice Chairman Mark Warner, and Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley. 
