Amendment to defund US National Security Agency fails narrowly
(Rep Justin Amash pictured, second from right)
Last night saw an amendment proposed to the latest US defence spending bill by representative Justin Amash narrowly defeated.
If it had been successful, the amendment would have curbed the ability of the National Security Agency (NSA) to snoop on the communications of Americans.
A majority of Democrats voted in support of the amendment (111-82 in favour), with a majority of Republicans voting against (134-94 against).
We came close (205-217). If just 7 Reps had switched their votes, we would have succeeded. Thank YOU for making a difference. We fight on.
— Justin Amash (@repjustinamash) July 24, 2013
Only a 12-vote margin to reject a bill to DE-FUND a major NSA program. Amazing coalition of left-wing and right-wing civil libertarians
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) July 24, 2013