Official: Bulk collection would halt without Patriot Act extension

Office of the Director of National Intelligence General Counsel Robert Litt said the government's bulk collection of US telephone records would end if portions of the Patriot Act are not extended.

He noted the "substantial political hurdle" involved in continuing the program if Congress does not renew portions of the Patriot Act, expiring in June, that authorize its existence. Advocates see the Patriot Act's sunset as an opportunity to pass National Security Agency reform, including an end to the government's bulk collection of Americans' telephone metadata. Litt said he his "hopeful" Congress can get enough votes to pass reform.