Senate narrowly rejects new FBI surveillance

The Senate narrowly rejected expanding the FBI's surveillance powers June 22 in the wake of the worst mass shooting in US history. Senators voted 58-38 on a procedural hurdle, with 60 votes needed to move forward. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who initially voted "yes," switched his vote, which allows him to potentially bring the measure back up. A handful of Republicans — including Sens Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mike Lee (R-UT) — voted against the GOP proposal that was spearheaded by Sen John McCain (R-AZ) and backed by leadership. Sens Mike Crapo (R-ID), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) didn't vote.

The Senate GOP proposal—being offered as an amendment to the Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill—would allow the FBI to use "national security letters" to obtain people's Internet browsing history and other information without a warrant during a terrorism or federal intelligence probe. It would also permanently extend a Patriot Act provision — currently set to expire in 2019 — meant to monitor "lone wolf" extremists. Senate Republicans said they would likely be able to get enough votes if Majoirty Leader McConnell schedules a redo.