White House Is Seeking Renewal of Surveillance Laws

The Obama administration is asking lawmakers this week that legal approval of government surveillance methods which are scheduled to expire in December should be renewed. The administration recommended that Congress move with legislation to protect the government's ability to collect various types of business and credit card information and to monitor terrorism suspects with roving wiretaps.

Wiretapping and surveillance were highly politicized during the Bush years after the New York Times disclosed a secret electronic monitoring program without court approval. Several civil liberties groups are asking Congress to begin debate on various domestic surveillance issues.

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