NSA whistleblower muzzled by red tape

I was wondering what ever became of this story just the other day. Now there's some new information.

Last month, a former NSA intel officer announced that he had information proving that the agency has been engaged in more widespread-- and illegal-- domestic spying activity than has previously been suggested. Then nothing happened. According to Think Progress (citing a National Journal piece), it isn't for lack of trying:

Tice said his information is different from the terrorist surveillance program that President Bush acknowledged in December and from news accounts last month that the NSA has been secretly collecting phone call records of millions of Americans. Because he worked on special access programs, however, it has not been clear on Capitol Hill which committees have jurisdiction to debrief him. Shays and Kucinich gave the NSA until Friday to explain any legal reason why they cannot interview him. But that deadline passed without a response, and a subcommittee aide today called the missed deadline troubling.

Shays and Kucinich had originally asked the NSA to give them a reason by May 26, but the agency asked for an extension until June 9. NSA spokesman Don Weber said today that the agency “is performing due diligence in developing a response to the committee’s request,” but added that Tice has not notified the agency of the alleged illegal activity. Tice said he does not believe he needs to notify the agency of his allegations.