Do not extend the FISA Wiretapping Act until 2017 in its current form.

Congress recently decided to approve extending the 2008 amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act without amending it to increase protection of civil liberties. This act, according to a Dec. 28th New York Times article by Robert Pear, was intended to give the government the ability to intercept the electronic communication of terrorist suspects. However, many lawmakers from both parties--including Richard Durbin and Ron Paul--opposed extending it without amendment because it has the potential to allow wiretapping of American citizens without a warrant. It “does not have adequate checks and balances to protect the constitutional rights of innocent American citizens” (Sen. Richard Durbin). President Obama is currently promising to sign it into law.