[Last] Wednesday, the U.S. House voted overwhelmingly to approve the USA Freedom Act — legislation which makes some modest reforms to the government’s mass surveillance. The good news is that the lopsided vote shows that the desire of millions of Americans to restore 4th Amendment protections is being heard.
The bad news? The USA Freedom Act just doesn’t go far enough, and under the guise of reform, it will have the effect of extending the most onerous provisions of the Patriot Act through 2019, with only inadequate changes.
Now that the House has passed the legislation, it goes to the U.S. Senate — and that’s where we need to go as well, with emails, phone calls and social media. The message is simple: The Senate can simply allow Section 215 of the Patriot Act to expire on June 1, two short weeks from now. That is the provision that the NSA and other surveillance agencies are using to justify their warrantless searches and the gathering of our phone calls, emails, bank records, etc.
Section 215 was “sunsetted” for a reason. Congress stamped an expiration date on it to create the opportunity to give it a try and see what happens. Well…we all know what has happened. The 4th Amendment has been tossed out the window and virtually none of our personal data or communications are safe from government collection. In fact, just a few days ago, a federal court confirmed that the government has clearly abused the authority it was given in Section 215, and essentially directed Congress to do something about it.
The “something” Congress can do couldn’t be more simple: Just let Section 215 die a timely death on June 1.
Failing that, if a majority in the Senate insists on extending mass surveillance, they MUST strengthen the inadequate reforms in the USA Freedom Act and put real restrictions on what the NSA, the FBI and other agencies can do.
We only have a few days to act. Contact your Senators today and let them know that mass surveillance must end, warrantless searches must end, and the law must be changed to reflect the protections against unreasonable searches granted by the 4th Amendment. Ask them to simply allow Section 215 of the Patriot Act to die — or at a minimum, put some real teeth into the USA Freedom Act.
Your response to Our America’s Petition to “Restore the 4th” has been tremendous. More than 10,000 people have signed it, with more being added every day. But we must not stop there.
We must flood social media and news outlets with our demands that Congress put an end to mass surveillance of law-abiding Americans. Your contribution of $10, $25, $50, $100 or more at Our America today will allow us to reach thousands more people via social media — letting them know how urgent it is that they contact their Senators NOW.
Our privacy is on the line. I’m counting on you to help us restore one of the fundamental tenets of liberty — protection from warrantless and mass surveillance by the government.
Your support is vital. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks!
Gov. Gary Johnson
Honorary Chairman