In a party-line 20-14 vote, the House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation expanding federal wiretapping powers while simultaneously imposing some new reporting and oversight requirements. The proposal was unveiled only yesterday by Congressional Democrats as a successor to the Protect America Act, the controversial wiretapping legislation pushed through Congress in the final hours before Congress' August recess. That bill included a six-month sunset provision, and Congress is now debating what powers the executive branch should have after those powers expire in February.

At Ars Technica.

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