consent

Among many other requirements, consent was granted on the basis of environmental impact statements submitted by the companies.

The newly elected leader of the incoming majority, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., likewise affirmed his commitment to the Senate’s traditional role of providing “advice and consent” to the executive branch.

But privacy advocates have raised alarms about the technology, alleging that the cameras track people without their consent and that the data stored on them can be vulnerable to bad actors.

He reiterated that point to ABC News on Thursday, promising “we expect our committees to do their jobs and provide the advice and consent that is required under the Constitution.”

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she was “shocked” by the nomination, saying it reaffirmed the need for the Senate to hold on to its constitutional duty of providing “advice and consent.”