“Today the House passed the USA Freedom Act, which reigns in the National Security Agency and puts a stop to bulk data collection on U.S. citizens. The USA Freedom Act provides actual reforms, real transparency, and tangible accountability over the actions of the intelligence community and how they conduct surveillance. It also tackles the activities of the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
“Today we face the largest convergence of terrorists and foreign fighters in modern history, who regularly threaten the safety and security of American citizens. It is imperative that we provide the men and women of our Military and our Homeland Security Department with tools necessary to defend American citizens, while simultaneously protecting our Fourth Amendment right to privacy. This bill accomplishes both.
“We face a technologically savvy enemy, and we cannot be naïve about the threats they pose. Intelligence gathering is important for the security of our nation; but, as an elected representative sworn to uphold the Constitution, it is my duty to ensure those actions do not violate the rights of our citizens.
“Furthermore, Constitutional experts like Senators Mike Lee and Ted Cruz co-sponsored this measure in the US. Senate, and I am pleased the House acted on this today.”