This afternoon, Sen. Patrick Leahy introduced a bill aimed at regaining control over the NSA's dragnet of America. It's a good start to fixing the immense problem.

Leahy's bill proposes to do a lot of good things, starting with limiting the bulk collection of Americans' telephone and data communications and reforming so-called Section 215 collection by the NSA. It's not perfect -- Vermonters would like more transparency, and more oversight from Congress, for a start -- but we're happy to support it as a great first step.

ACLU's Washington legislative office has in-depth details about the bill on its blog.