OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Issue Position: Protecting Our Civil Liberties

Issue Position

Date: Jan. 1, 2012
Issues: Technology and Communication Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

As we work to prevent future terrorist attacks from occurring on our soil, we must also work to guard our civil liberties and not allow the terrorists to undermine our democracy by an unduly invasive response.

In response to reports exposing the Administration's domestic surveillance program, Congressman Schiff has introduced the NSA Oversight Act -- bipartisan legislation to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to respond to changes in technology and new threats, but that will retain court supervision over domestic electronic surveillance.

Electronic surveillance of those seeking to harm our country must be targeted and aggressive. It must also be constitutional and respect the privacy of law-abiding Americans. Congressman Schiff secured passage of an amendment to the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 that reiterates that a court order is required by law in order to engage in domestic electronic surveillance. Congressman Schiff has repeatedly spoken on the House floor in support of greater oversight -- you can read his remarks from January 2007 here.


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