Secret domestic spying program losing ground

The National Security Agency survived a close vote in the House of Representatives when the House voted 205-217 against a move to stop the agency from gathering phone records from millions of U.S. citizens. The secret surveillance program came to light when Edward Snowden violated security to release  evidence of the program last month. (The New York Times, July 24, 2013, by Jonathan Weisman)

The narrow victory for the NSA signals eroding support for the surveillance program. “It is doubtful that any intelligence program can continue for long with 49% of House members opposed to it,” wrote Steven Aftergood, Secrecy News, July 25, 2013.

“This amendment [to block the surveillance program] reflected the deep discomfort of Americans who don’t want the government collecting data on them indiscriminately. This type of surveillance is unnecessary and unconstitutional, a needless return to the general warrants that our country’s founders fought against,” said Kurt Opsahl, Electronic Freedom Foundation, July 24, 2013.