According to the New York Times write-up, So how can a program initiated by the executive branch without congressional oversight require congressional approval for termination? Edit: I'm guessing that the Obama administration pays lip-service to the notion of de-escalating the program, but has no actual intention of doing so. I hate this game.The N.S.A., Mr. Snowden revealed, was systematically collecting telephone metadata — information about who called whom, but not the content of what was said — from major American phone companies. The program began after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, based on an assertion of unilateral executive power by President George W. Bush.
It doesn't. The NSA is under the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch, i.e. the President. Obama can end mass surveillance any time he feels like it. Entirely. Personally, I think this is the Judicial Branch's responsibility. It's the Judicial Branch's job to overrule unconstitutional Executive and Legislative practices. SCOTUS should rule mass surveillance unconstitutional and put an end to it.So how can a program initiated by the executive branch without congressional oversight require congressional approval for termination?
the Obama administration pays lip-service to the notion of de-escalating the program