DelBene Sponsors Legislation to Rein in NSA Spying and Protect Americans' Privacy

Press Release

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene joined Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) in co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation to rein in the blanket surveillance of Americans by the National Security Agency (NSA), increase Americans' privacy rights, and require greater transparency, oversight, and accountability of government surveillance programs.

The USA Freedom Act ends the bulk collection of data of Americans' communication records, increases the transparency of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), allows internet and telecom companies to publicly report information regarding government requests for users' data and creates an independent Office of the Special Advocate tasked with promoting the privacy interests of the American public before FISC.

"Like the American public, I was outraged and deeply troubled by the revelations earlier this year of how far-reaching and invasive our government's surveillance programs have become. As additional details have come to light about these secret programs, I have joined with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, many of whom have supported and even drafted the original PATRIOT Act after 9/11, to scrutinize the legal authorities for these programs. This bill is the result of this effort, and now Congress must act to rein in the government's surveillance programs and end the bulk collection of the communications records of millions of innocent Americans," said DelBene, who is a member of the House Judiciary Committee. "The USA Freedom Act includes reforms that ensure vigorous oversight, transparency and accountability of our nation's surveillance programs. It strikes the right balance between protecting our privacy and national security."

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