Congress
Just Security’s expert authors offer analysis of U.S. Congress’ role in national security, foreign affairs, the rule of law, and rights. Coverage includes analysis and informational resources related to the legislative process, oversight and investigations of the executive branch, and major debates on the separation of powers and Congress’ constitutional role.
2,455 Articles
National Security-Related Congressional Hearings, July 13–17
Below is a calendar of congressional hearings on national security matters for this week. Tuesday, July 14, 2015 9:30am – Senate Armed Services – Nominations: Gen. Paul J.…
It’s Time to End the “Debate” on Encryption Backdoors
Yesterday, on Lawfare, FBI Director James Comey laid out his concern that the growing adoption of strong encryption technologies will frustrate law enforcement’s ability to conduct…
It’s Time for a Review of the Forever War
It’s been more than 5,000 days and the global conflict started after September 11 shows no sign of ending. Last week, the Pentagon released its latest National Military Strategy…
National Security-Related Congressional Hearings, July 6–10
Below is a calendar of congressional hearings on national security matters for this week. Tuesday, July 7, 2015 9:30am – Senate Armed Services – Counter-ISIL (Islamic State…
OPM, CISA, and the Cybersecurity Oxymoron
In Congress, bad policy ideas are like vampires: They are very hard to kill because they’re always somehow coming back from the dead. Such is the case with this year’s iteration…
There’s No Reason to Hide the Amount of Secret Law
Last week, President Obama announced a new policy that would allow private parties to pay ransoms to hostage takers. The policy was established through an executive order and an…
Sloppy Cyber Threat Sharing Is Surveillance by Another Name
This post is the latest installment of our “Monday Reflections” feature, in which a different Just Security editor examines the big stories from the previous week or looks…
Has the CIA Asked the FISC to Restart Its Bulk Collection Program?
There’s a curious gap in the documents currently posted on the FISC’s public docket — one that suggests the NSA call records program isn’t the only type of bulk collection…
“Expense,” “Delay,” and the Inauspicious Debut of the USA FREEDOM Act’s Amicus Provision
I have very little to add to Liza Goitein’s thorough and excellent post from this morning, which explains–quite forcefully in my view–why Judge Saylor’s…
The FISC’s Newest Opinion: Proof of the Need for an Amicus
In the first public opinion of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) since the USA Freedom Act became law, Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV ruled that the law revived the…
National Security-Related Congressional Hearings, June 22–26
Below is a calendar of congressional hearings on national security matters for this week. Tuesday, June 23, 2015 10:30am – Senate Appropriations – Financial Services and General…
The Hidden Meaning (Maybe) of the New FISC Opinion
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court released an opinion today, dated June 17, holding that despite the brief lapse of several provisions of the USA Patriot Act, the effect…