The controversy about government surveillance programs means “there...

The controversy about government surveillance programs means “there almost certainly will be legislation,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Wednesday. “Certain key elements” of the Patriot Act will expire in June 2015, “and we have an opportunity and an obligation to address these issues.” Blumenthal spoke in Philadelphia at an event hosted by the National Constitution Center and The Constitution Project, which posted video of the event online (http://bit.ly/1gD4jWs). Blumenthal slammed the secrecy of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and cited a need to change it, as he has proposed in legislation calling for what some call a “constitutional advocate” for the court. “How much unchecked and unmonitored intelligence activity can be consistent with the rule of law?” Blumenthal asked. “The advocate can be made more effective if we give it a certain form,” he said, saying it should be able to proactively engage the court. The court should not be the body choosing when to invite this permanent, staffed advocate, he added. All government branches are now reexamining how these programs should operate.