Protect America Act
The Protect America Act (PAA) authorized warrantless surveillance.
Contents
Description
The act created the warrantless surveillance procedures of FISA.
History
Under the Bush administration, the NSA wiretapped phones without authorization. This was leaked to the press in late 2005 and generated enough controversy to end the program by early 2007.
This act authorized this activity with restrictions. It was also designed to subset after a year, though any authorizations granted in that year are effective for 10 years and can be covertly renewed.
The FISA Amendments of 2008 partially extended the act without a sunset.