Senator Ron Wyden has placed a hold on the 2017 Intelligence Authorization Act. The bill would allow the FBI to obtain new records through the controversial National Security Letter program. Wyden objected to provisions in the bill that would “erode” the power of the independent Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) to investigate U.S. surveillance practices. The PCLOB was created after former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden’s revelations of widespread surveillance practices, Wyden said. The FBI has said it would be “convenient” if NSL program could be expanded to include email and Internet records.”]