Supreme Court blocks challenge on electronic monitoring

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Supreme Court rejected an effort by a group of attorneys, journalists, and others to proceed with a lawsuit over the federal government’s sweeping electronic monitoring of foreigners suspected of terrorism or spying.

The 5-4 conservative majority on Tuesday concluded that the plaintiffs lacked “standing” or jurisdiction to proceed, without a specific showing they have been monitored.

The National Security Agency has in turn refused to disclose monitoring specifics, which detractors call “Catch-22″ logic.

Justice Samuel Alito said plaintiffs “cannot demonstrate that the future injury they purportedly fear is certainly impending.”

The justices did not address the larger questions of the program’s constitutionality.

The case is Clapper v. Amnesty International USA (11-1025).