Bill to limit domestic spy programs passes US Congress

June 03, 2015 08:20

US Congress rejected some of the sweeping intelligence-gathering powers it granted national security officials after the 9/11 terror attacks, with the Senate voting to end the government's bulk collection of private telephone records and reform other surveillance policies.The bill, known as the USA Freedom Act, passed on a 67-to-32 vote, against the will of Senate Republican leaders who wished to preserve existing spy programs.

US President Obama, who signed the USA Freedom Act into law, said in a statement earlier that he was "gratified that Congress has finally moved forward with this sensible reform legislation".

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