This is Democracy Now, Democracy Now.

The War and Peace Report.

I'm Amy Goodman.

As we continue with part two of our interview with James Bamford,

investigative journalist whose new piece for the nation

is headline, The NSA Wants Carte Blanche for warrantless surveillance.

This is Democratic Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois speaking against extending the reauthorization of FISA.

That's the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

It would later be signed into law by President Biden.

The bill could allow the government to force ordinary U.S. businesses

with access to communications equipment like a

Wi-Fi router to give the national security agency access to their equipment.

This would greatly expand the number and types of companies

forced to assist the NSA with spying and increase warrantless collection of America's

communications.

Another provision in the House bill would authorize the use of Section 702 data by immigration

authorities.

I'm very concerned that that would allow a future administration to target dreamers and other

non-citizens who are only applying for travel documents and are subject to

extensive background checks in that capacity.

Jim Bamford, you're one of the leading experts on the NSA on intelligence gathering in this country.

Can you respond to Dick Urban?

...