Coalition Presses DNI Clapper for 'Crucial Facts' on FISA's Section 702 Spy Program

especially before any legislative reauthorization effort. "No member of Congress should be forced to vote on such a critical matter while they and their constituents are kept in the dark about the extent to which Section 702 is being used to surveil Americans and other U.S residents," read the follow-up letter from the coalition. The groups, which include the American Civil Liberties Union, Brennan Center for Justice and Project for Government Oversight, initially requested such information in a letter in October. Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of Brennan's liberty and national security program, wrote in a blog post that the NSA acquires more than 250 million Internet communications annually under the program, which allows the agency to eavesdrop on a foreigner's calls and emails overseas, including communications with Americans. In a Dec. 23 response, the Office of DNI recommended to the coalition through Brennan that intelligence officials meet with civil liberties advocates. "But the letter hinted that much of the information the groups seek may not be forthcoming," Goitein wrote. She said any such meeting should be "focused on moving the conversation forward," meaning intelligence officials should discuss "our specific points and proposals."