The USA Freedom Act, as passed by the House of Representatives, includes three reforms that were designed to make the Patriot Act “nicer.”
- Replace federal data collection with data retention by communication companies
- Provide an amicus (friend of the court) counterposition to FISA Court cases, including reports about why amicus briefers were or were NOT used
- Makes some FISA court opinions available for you and the public to read
But as weak as these reforms are, they are still too strong for Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell. Now, he's stubbornly insisting on three Amendments that would gut these modest improvements, PLUS another amendment that extends Section 215 for a year.
I just told Congress to OPPOSE these amendments through DownsizeDC.org's “Hand Off the Internet” campaign.
Please do the same. You may borrow or copy this letter…
Section 215 of the Patriot Act has expired. This means…
The USA Freedom Act does NOT “reform” the Patriot Act. Instead it…
RE-STARTS bulk collection of phone records, invading my privacy for six more months
And Mitch McConnell's proposed amendments…
* EXTEND bulk collection of phone records for yet another six months — essentially, a full year more of Section 215
* FORCES tech companies to ask the feds for “permission” to change their data retention policies
* WEAKENS the already modest provisions for amicus briefs to counter the government's position in FISA Courts
* ALLOWS FISA court opinions to remain classified, meaning judges have no accountability
I DO NOT CONSENT!
You swore an oath is to defend the Constitution, including my Fourth Amendment right to be secure from any State surveillance that occurs without a warrant from the Judicial Branch. FISA courts do NOT meet this requirement.
OPPOSE any and ALL bills that violate my rights!
* OPPOSE all four of McConnell's amendments, then…
* VOTE NO on the USA Freedom Act
Do not revive any aspect of the Patriot Act. Section 215 must stay dead!
I'll be watching what you do.
–END OF LETTER–
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Thank you for being a DC Downsizer,
Jim Babka
President
DownsizeDC.org, Inc.