October 1, 2007

Congress Seeks to Restrict Domestic Satellite Use

Democratic members of the House Homeland Security Committee yesterday asked congressional appropriators to hold off funding for the Homeland Security Department’s new office for domestic satellite surveillance set to open Oct. 1. The department’s new National Applications Office is set to begin offering satellite information on request for homeland security, including preventing and responding to severe weather systems, natural disasters and terrorist attacks. But the Democrats contend there are not enough legal protections in place to govern how, and for what purpose, the satellites will be deployed.

Dems put brakes on DHS satellite initiative, Washington Technology, September 27, 2007.