WASHINGTON,D.C. - Yesterday, CongressmanTed Poe (R-TX), Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Congressman Thomas Massie(R-KY) introduced H.R. 2233, the End Warrantless Surveillance of Americans Act.The bill would prohibit warrantless searches of government databases forinformation that pertains to U.S. citizens. It would also forbid governmentagencies from mandating or requesting “back doors” into commercial productsthat can be used for surveillance. The legislation mirrors an amendment thethree members offered to the USA Freedom Act, which was backed by a broadbipartisan coalition including Members of Congress and outside groups acrossthe political spectrum.
“The USA Freedom Actthat passed out of the Judiciary Committee last week is an improvement overcurrent law and a step in the right direction. But we can do more to protectthe Fourth Amendment. In addition to stopping bulk data collection, Congressshould also act now to stop warrantless searches under Section 702 of theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA),” said Congressman Poe.“Right now, under Section 702 the government is allowed to snoop and spy on thecontent of a citizen’s phone calls, texts and emails---all without a warrant.Failure to address this gaping loophole in FISA leaves the constitutionalrights of millions of Americans vulnerable and unprotected. This bill alsoensures that the federal government does not force companies to enable itsspying activities. The NSA has and will continue to violate the constitutionalprotections guaranteed to every American unless Congress intervenes. Until wefix this and make the law clear, citizens can never be sure that their privateconversations are safe from the eyes of the government.”
“If Congress trulywants to end bulk collections of U.S. persons data, then we must also look atthe warrantless surveillance occurring under Section 702 of the ForeignIntelligence Surveillance Act and Executive Order 12333,” saidCongresswoman Lofgren. “Failing to do so all but ensures the nation’sspy agencies will continue to violate Americans’ privacy and the FourthAmendment. I am pleased that Chairman Goodlatte has acknowledged that furtherreform is needed and committed the House Judiciary Committee to investigatingthis issue more closely in hearing, and I look forward to a productiveconversation on how to finally end bulk collection and warrantless surveillanceat that time.”
“Surveillance underSection 702 of the FISA Amendments Act is arguably worse than the collection ofrecords allowed under Section 215 of the Patriot Act,” said CongressmanMassie. “Our Founding Fathers fought and died to stop this kind ofwarrantless search and seizure. The End Warrantless Surveillance on AmericansAct is an important step toward reasserting the constitutional rights of allAmericans. I look forward to continue working on this issue with CongressmanPoe and Congresswoman Lofgren.”
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