What is the FISA bill?

Question

I keep seeing references to it here in yahoo answers, but I don't know what it is.

Answer 1

To expand on what iamct01 said.  It is the re-authorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.  The intention of the law (and its reauthorized version) was to prevent the government (especially the executive branch) from performing wiretaps or surveillance without probable cause or a warrant from a judge.  The original FISA created a special secret court that the government could go to AFTER the surveillance had taken place to get a warrant.  The current FISA bill contained an amendment to give immunity from lawsuits to telecommunications companies that helped the government to wiretap without a warrant.

Answer 2

It gives telecom companies immunity from being sued for breaking the law, by wiretapping American citizens.

It is a clear violation of the 4th Amendment.

Answer 3

It was created by Carter that states that the government have to get a warrant within five days after they spy on the American people here at home. Today they voted to protect the communication companies that broke the law by doing as they were told by the Republican administration to spy on Democrats oops I mean people without a warrant. Basically Republicans give up essential liberties for temporary safety out of fear. Quest Communication is the only company that fallowed the law and told Bush to jump in the lake.