Technology

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today introduced the Protecting Individuals From Mass Aerial Surveillance Act, which would require the federal government to obtain a warrant to conduct aerial surveillance in the United States. Reps. Donald Beyer (VA-08), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Ted Poe (TX-02), are original cosponsors of the bipartisan bill. “Just… Read more »

FBI Director James Comey on Thursday defended the agency's use of surveillance aircraft over Baltimore during the April riots, adding that the planes were used at the request of local officials. "If there is tremendous turbulence in a community, it’s useful to everybody -- civilians and law enforcement -- to have a view of what’s going on," Comey told lawmakers during a… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today supported the passage of the Judicial Redress Act to protect privacy rights of citizens in U.S.-allied countries.   “Our allies provide our citizens basic privacy protections. The least the United States can do is reciprocate in kind. The current inconsistency breeds distrust and harms the competitiveness of American businesses… Read more »

The former Microsoft executive Suzan DelBene is something of an outlier among her current professional colleagues when it comes to tech savvy. She’s doing what she can, though, to help educate her peers about the so-called internet of things device class that includes products such as the Microsoft Band she wears to work. Indeed, it’s one reason that DelBene – a US Rep.… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) issued the following statement regarding the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that seizing geolocation data requires a warrant: “The 4th Circuit Court’s decision is an important reminder that government should not have free rein to infringe on the constitutional right to due process. As new technology becomes increasingly prevalent in… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) submitted the following statement today at the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet’s hearing on the Internet of Things. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to Internet-connected devices and systems from kitchen appliances, to roadways, wristbands and cars. DelBene is the co-chair of the Congressional… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today voted for a patent reform bill in the House Judiciary Committee. The Innovation Act passed out of the committee by a vote of 24 to 8. After voting for the bill in the markup, DelBene issued the following statement:   “America needs a robust patent system in order to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in today’s… Read more »

Dear Friend, This week, the Associated Press reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has repeatedly used aircraft for surveillance missions over a number of U.S. cities, including Seattle. As your representative in Congress, protecting civil liberties is one of my highest priorities. That’s why I led 15 of my colleagues in sending a letter to FBI Director James… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today led members in sending a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey demanding explanations to recent reports that the Bureau used aircraft for secret surveillance missions over several U.S. cities. “Some of these aircraft were reported to be equipped with advanced surveillance devices that can pick up data from… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) applauded Senate-passage of sweeping reforms to rein in government surveillance programs, but said more should be done. “Bulk collection of American communications records is a gross violation of our civil liberties. I’m glad Congress has finally taken action to meaningfully rein in the government’s surveillance programs. But this is just the first… Read more »