Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act — as well as the “lone wolf” and “roving wiretap” authorities — expired on March 15, after former Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr announced he would “let us go dark” rather than permit the Senate to vote on amendments to H.R. 6172, the USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act.

On May 28, the House requested a conference with the Senate to resolve differences between the two bills. The House did not vote on any amendments nor on the Senate-passed version, which includes the Lee-Leahy amendment. The Senate adopted the Lee-Leahy amendment, which strengthens the independent amici that appear before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, 77-19. The amendment specifically protects religious groups and the press. The Senate has not yet voted on whether to send the USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act to conference.

The Daines-Wyden amendment prohibits the use of Section 215 for warrantless surveillance of internet browsing and search histories. The one-sentence amendment is available here. A one-page write-up is available here. Over 80 organizations called for the House to allow a vote on the Daines-Wyden amendment.

Resources on the Daines-Wyden amendment: