After five years in limbo, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board finally has a panel to run it. But that may not be enough to bring it back to life.

In August the Senate confirmed the four individuals nominated to sit on its board. But the agency, which is supposed to provide a safeguard against overzealous government intrusions on privacy during the fight against terrorism, still can’t hold a meeting because the Senate did not confirm the nominee for chairman.