Blowback From The NSA To Threats On Limiting It's Surveillance Tools

A desk inside the NSA's Threat Operations Center, 2006. New York Magazine

The NSA Scrambles to Defend Its Surveillance Tools -- The Atlantic

National Security Agency chief Keith Alexander is scrambling to bolster support for his agency's (recently renewed) ability to collect massive amounts of data on phone calls under the Patriot Act. The Huffington Post reports that Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland has issued an invitation to members of Congress to join Alexander for a briefing on the NSA's activity, meant as a response to an effort to cut funding for it.

The irony is that Alexander didn't see this coming. For weeks, various policy proposals have been floating around Capitol Hill seeking to reform or repeal the scope of the agency's surveillance efforts. The urgency of Ruppersberger's request was spurred by the House Rules Committee's somewhat surprising decision to advancing a measure from Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan. That proposal would amend a defense spending bill to cut any funding that would be used for the collection of phone metadata.

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My Comment: I believe that National Security Agency chief Keith Alexander is rightfully concerned about losing his surveilalnce tools .... but what he is REALLY concerned about is this (i.e. his budget).