New Bill Would Authorize Warrantless Surveillance, Punish Leakers

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Three Senate Republicans have introduced a bill ( S 2455) that would authorize warrantless surveillance by the National Security Agency for up to 45 days. It provides for congressional notice but offers no external constraints. The bill calls for stiff penalties – fines of up to $1 million and prison terms of up to 15 years – for anyone who discloses classified information on such surveillance but said the sanctions do not apply to reporters who may be given the information.