US Congress curbs NSA surveillance; Obama signs into law

President Barack Obama signed into law landmark legislation ending the government’s bulk telephone data dragnet, significantly reversing American policy by reining in the most controversial surveillance program since 9/11.

 

The bill was given final passage earlier Tuesday by the US Senate, after being approved by the House several days earlier.

 

The measure reauthorizes key national security programs that had lapsed early this week.

 

“Glad the Senate finally passed the USA Freedom Act. It protects civil liberties and our national security,” President Barack Obama said on Twitter shortly before he signed it.

 

In a separate statement earlier, Obama chided lawmakers for the “needless delay and inexcusable lapse in important national security authorities,” in the days leading up to the bill’s eventual passage.

 

Read More: US Congress curbs NSA surveillance; Obama signs into law – Business Insider