This undated photo provided by the National Security Agency (NSA) shows its headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland.
A group of lawmakers this week voiced their concern over the Obama administration’s plans to monitor individuals with security clearances as part of a post-Snowden leaks crackdown.
From the Wall Street Journal:
Sens. Charles Grassley (R., Iowa) and Ron Wyden (D., Ore.) said in a letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper that the stated possibility of “continuous evaluation” of legislative officials would raise constitutional questions and that extensive employee monitoring could inhibit people from coming forward to point out fraudulent or illegal activities. These concerns suggest growing worries among lawmakers about the extent to which the government’s monitoring capabilities will be turned on the legislative branch.
“Especially in light of recent events, we first ask that you confirm that you did not intend to suggest that Members of Congress or staff members in the Legislative Branch would be subject to continuous evaluation,” the senators wrote.
“Lawmakers Sound Alarm Over Wider Internal Surveillance” [wsj.com]