National Security

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 thousands of cell phones and capture high-definition images,” the letter states. “The possibility that that these surv... 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 step in protecting Americans communications from unwarranted searches,” DelBene said. “The USA FREEDOM Act is a ... Read more

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) applauded House-passage of sweeping reforms to rein in government surveillance programs. DelBene also delivered a floor speech ahead of the vote. “Bulk collection of American communications records is a gross violation of our civil liberties. I’m glad the House has finally taken action to meaningfully rein in the government’s surveillance programs. It’s time for the Senate to follow suit and end bulk data collection,” DelBene said. “The USA FREEDOM Act is a c... Read more

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: The bulk collection of Americans' phone records that Edward Snowden exposed two years ago is dividing the Republican-led Congress. The issue has come to a head because the part of the USA Patriot Act used to carry out that bulk collection expires at the end of the month. The house will vote today to modify that provision by banning the massive collection of phone data. But Senate GOP leaders want to prolong the program for five more years. NPR's David Welna reports. DAVID WE... Read more

In a bipartisan vote today, the House Judiciary Committee passed the USA FREEDOM Act, which would rein in the National Security Agency’s (NSA) domestic surveillance program and protect Americans’ privacy by creating greater transparency, oversight and accountability. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) is an original cosponsor of the USA FREEDOM Act. After committee passage, DelBene issued the following statement: “Today’s action by the House Judiciary Committee brings us one step closer to rei... Read more

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today joined members of the House Judiciary Committee in cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to rein in the National Security Agency’s (NSA) domestic surveillance program and protect Americans’ privacy by creating greater transparency, oversight and accountability. “Like most of the American public, I remain outraged and deeply troubled by reports of far-reaching and invasive government surveillance programs,” DelBene said. “Bulk collection of American commun... Read more

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of the fiscal year. “Passing a clean DHS funding bill is what should have happened all along,” DelBene said. “We shouldn’t be playing politics with this important issue. I’m glad we have avoided a shutdown that would harm workers and our national security.” DHS was excluded from the full-year “cromnibus” deal passed in December. Instead, the agency was funded only through Feb. 27, becaus... Read more

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) delivered the following remarks on the House of Representatives floor today, calling on House leadership to fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of the fiscal year. DelBene’s speech, as prepared for delivery, is below: “In my state of Washington, we’re very familiar with the vital role the Department of Homeland Security plays. “Nearly one year ago, in a matter of seconds, one square mile of land slid into the Stillaguamish River near Oso,... Read more

Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and U.S. Representatives Adam Smith, Rick Larsen, Suzan DelBene, Derek Kilmer and Dennis Heck applauded an announcement by Washington Governor Jay Inslee that the state has been awarded $4.3M in Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) Defense Industry Adjustment program funding to focus on the military and defense industry supply chain and the companies in the state that support the defense industry. The funding will be... Read more

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement on her vote in favor of the McKeon amendment authorizing the Pentagon, in coordination with the State Department, to train and equip appropriately vetted Syrian rebels and associated groups to defend the Syrian people from attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). “It’s clear that ISIL poses a growing threat to American interests and allies in the region, one that will require a comprehensive strategy led by a ... Read more