eNewsletters

Dear Friend,

On June 1, three of the most controversial provisions in the USA PATRIOT Act will expire. As we now know, the government has been interpreting Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act to enact far-reaching and invasive government surveillance programs that secretly obtain personal data from U.S. citizens, whether or not they are suspected of any illegal activity.

Just last week, I wrote an op-ed that was published in The Hill, outlining standards I believe must be reached for any surveillance reform proposal to be worthwhile.

I believe that Congress cannot wait any longer to rein in government surveillance. Bulk data collection and surveillance without cause are legally problematic and are just plain wrong. Even original authors of the USA PATRIOT Act have said the government has gone beyond what the legislation ever intended.  

That is why I helped introduce the USA FREEDOM Act today with a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues that share my commitment to putting an end to mass surveillance and protecting Americans’ right to privacy.

While our government agencies should have the resources to thwart terrorist plots and attacks, intelligence programs need to have meaningful oversight, accountability and transparency.

The USA FREEDOM Act would end bulk data collection under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act. It also reforms the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) by creating a special advocate that can argue the public case as a counter to the government’s case, and would create more robust disclosure requirements.

Passing meaningful reforms will go a long way toward protecting the privacy of Americans, because our private communications records should remain just that – private.

A clean reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Act is unacceptable. In the coming days and weeks, I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that these important reforms move forward, and I will stand firmly against any attempts to water down desperately needed privacy protections.

To voice your opinion on the issue, please take the survey below. As always, my office is here to serve you. If you have questions or comments about the topics that matter most to you, I encourage you to contact me through my website. You may also keep up-to-date on what I’m doing by following me on social media. If you need assistance dealing with a federal agency, such as the IRS or the VA, or if you are having problems with your Social Security or Medicare, please do not hesitate to contact my Bothell office at (425) 485-0085.
 

Sincerely,

Suzan