US Senate Passes New Bill to Wiretap Foreigners

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, May 10, 2003

US Senate Passes New Bill to Wiretap Foreigners

The United States Senate has passed a new law 90-4 to wiretap lone foreigners, broadening the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

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The United States Senate has passed a new law 90-4 to wiretap lone foreigners, broadening the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The bill was introduced by Senators Charles Schumer a Democrat from New York, and Jon Kyl, a Republican from Arizona. It also requires approval in the House of Representatives.

"This is a reasonable provision that deals with change in the post 9-11 world, Schumer said after the vote on Thursday night. "Even individuals are empowered by technology and can do huge damage here to the homeland."

Under the new bill, law enforcement officers investigating suspected spies or terrorists could wiretap lone foreigners even if they can not be linked to a government or terror organization.

The 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act requires the lawenforcement officers to get warrants authorizing intelligence-gathering wiretaps from a secret court, if they can prove that thetarget is an "agent of a foreign power" or group.

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