As Congress begins to consider renewing sections of the USA PATRIOT Act that are set to expire at the end of the year, we have a unique opportunity to press Congress for new civil liberties protections to shield ordinary Americans against government spying.

Last week, ten US Senators introduced the perfect vehicle for reform of the surveillance powers in the PATRIOT Act, as well as the much broader and more dangerous FISA Amendments Act (FAA), the warrantless surveillance law that was passed by Congress last summer.

The new bill, called the JUSTICE Act, would add essential new checks and balances to a broad range of surveillance powers. In particular, it would reform the notorious National Security Letter power that allows the FBI, without court supervision, to secretly demand that companies hand over your private phone and internet records.