A last-ditch effort in the Senate to block or delay rule changes that would expand the U.S. government's hacking powers failed Wednesday, despite concerns that the changes would jeopardize the privacy rights of innocent Americans and risk possible abuse by the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon attempted three times to delay the changes, which will take effect on Thursday and allow U.S. judges to issue search warrants that give the FBI the authority to remotely access computers in any jurisdiction — potentially even overseas.
His efforts were blocked by Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the Senate's second-ranking Republican.