Fawn Johnson reports:
Sen. John McCain said Tuesday that he has more sympathy for federal investigators than privacy advocates when it comes to internet surveillance. The Arizona Republican is the lead sponsor of an amendment that would allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation to easily obtain non-content electronic communication transaction records to investigate suspected terrorists.
The vote is scheduled to receive a Senate vote Wednesday as part of a spending bill for the Departments of Commerce, Justice and various science agencies. The proposal will need 60 votes to advance.
A similar amendment has derailed legislation to update internet privacy laws in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Privacy advocates say the lack of judicial oversight of the investigative process could make it easy for investigators to abuse the authority.
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