ACLU calls on House to block warrantless web browsing surveillance

 The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is calling on the House to revive an amendment to the measure that would block law enforcement from being able to access web browsing data without a warrant after the measure fell short by one vote in the Senate.

The amendment was introduced by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) but narrowly missed a 60-vote threshold, failing 59-37 on Wednsday.

Several senators who were expected to vote in favor of it, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), were not present for the session.

“It is now time for the House to do what the Senate has done and further improve this legislation,” Neema Singh Guliani, ACLU senior legislative counsel, said in a statement to The Hill on Thursday.

“Yesterday’s vote demonstrated there is overwhelming support for protecting our internet search and browsing histories from warrantless searches. This important reform shouldn’t be left out of the final legislation merely because not all members were present to vote. We urge House leadership to add protections for Americans’ online search and browsing histories to the Senate bill.”