Senator Coons' statement on vote to advance the USA Freedom Act

Statement

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after the Senate voted overwhelmingly to advance the USA Freedom Act.

"I have long believed that the Patriot Act requires serious, substantial reforms, and the USA Freedom Act is our best option, at this point, to protect both the American people and their civil liberties.

"Determining the best way to accomplish those two, important goals is a critical debate, but instead of taking time to discuss the options before us, Republican leadership has chosen, time and again, over weeks and months, to avoid one of the most pressing issues we face as a country.

"This last-minute flurry, which will almost certainly fail to stop the suspension of critical national security programs, is not the product of one Senator's determination. The Senate has had more than ample opportunity to bring this legislation, which passed the House with overwhelming, bipartisan support, to the floor for debate. Republican leadership has simply failed to do that. That failure alone is why we're in this irresponsible, potentially dangerous situation."

Source