Constitution Review Committee Seeks More Support Amid Reforms

The Patriot Act of 2001 significantly weakened constitutional protections against government surveillance by dismantling the 'wall' that separated federal law enforcement from domestic spying agencies, originally established by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. This change has led to increased government spying in the U.S., raising concerns about violations of the Fourth Amendment, which requires warrants based on probable cause for searches and seizures. The amendment's precise language reflects historical abuses of general warrants by British authorities, which allowed unchecked government intrusion. Critics argue that current federal surveillance practices echo these colonial-era violations and undermine constitutional safeguards intended to protect citizens’ rights.