Sign The Petition to Pass The USA Freedom Act
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Since the true magnitude of the National Security Agency’s intelligence programs was revealed last year, we’ve been having an important debate about Americans’ fundamental relationship with their government.
Now it’s time to take action.
Recently, we cosponsored the most significant reform of government surveillance since Congress passed the USA Patriot Act in 2001. The strong version of the USA FREEDOM Act, introduced by Chairman Leahy in the Senate Judiciary Committee, is the best chance we’ll have this year to rein in the NSA and impose stronger limits on government surveillance powers.
We want the Senate to debate this bill — and pass it — as soon as Congress reconvenes in September. But our opponents want to delay consideration until after the November elections, if at all.
Well, the American people cannot afford to put their right to privacy on hold for six months. This vote cannot wait.
That’s why we’re joining our colleagues — including Senators Brian Schatz and Sheldon Whitehouse — to urge Congress to vote and pass the USA FREEDOM Act, without delay. We need you — and millions of Americans — to show your support today.
We need to pass this bill, protect Americans’ rights, and help restore confidence in the integrity of our intelligence community.
The USA FREEDOM Act represents what the New York Times referred to as “a breakthrough in the struggle against the growth of government surveillance power.” If passed, it will:
- End the overly broad data collection program by the NSA;
- Increase transparency of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Court decision-making;
- Reform the FISA Court by appointing a special panel of civil liberties and privacy advocates to the court;
- Protect Americans’ communications collected under FISA;
- Allow companies to disclose information regarding FISA requests, and;
- Impose new and stricter sunsets on surveillance authorities.
A powerful coalition — including the White House, technology company leaders, civil liberties groups, and the intelligence community — has already shown strong support for this comprehensive, historic bill.
Now, we hope you will show your support too — to make sure we bring this important bill up for a vote in September, when Congress reconvenes.
This bill is the best chance we’ll have this year to rein in the NSA and impose stronger limits on government surveillance powers.
We cannot let this opportunity pass us by. We must overhaul our government’s surveillance programs now, without further delay.
Thank you for showing your support today.
Sincerely,
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Dick Durbin
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Patrick Leahy
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Martin Heinrich
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Mazie Hirono
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Chuck Schumer
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U.S. Senator
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U.S. Senator
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U.S. Senator
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U.S. Senator
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U.S. Senator
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