Gov’t seeks delay in NSA case over US shutdown

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department says that because of the shutdown, it wants a federal court to delay a court case in which the government has said it will reveal more secret documents about the National Security Agency’s surveillance program.

In a new filing with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, the government says that without an appropriation from Congress, Justice Department attorneys and employees are prohibited from working, except in emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property.

The government is seeking a delay in a case involving Yahoo Inc. being required to turn over customer data to the NSA.

Yahoo was among several U.S. Internet businesses identified as giving the NSA access to customer data under the PRISM information-gathering program.