By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – U.S. Senator Kit Bond says recent changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act have improved the government's ability to spy on terrorists.
The new FISA law allows intelligence agencies to intercept suspect foreign calls that are routed through the United States without getting a warrant.
It also allows wiretaps on foreign calls placed to the United States as long as the person in the United States is not the target of the surveillance.
The Republican would not say exactly how intelligence agencies are benefiting, but he said there are safeguards against abuse.
"The only way you can get your phone listened to is if you get a call from a terrorist overseas," Bond said. "If it's the wrong number, they'll discard your name. If you're engaged with that terrorist, you will probably see an FBI agent at your door very quickly."
However some congressional Democrats and civil liberties groups say the new law could allow the Bush Administration to expand spy operations beyond wiretapping without court approval.