The signees of the letter voted against the USA FREEDOM Act last week because “its reforms do not adequately or appropriately reform surveillance practices or address privacy concerns.” They urge the Senate to “ensur[e] the federal government’s surveillance practices comport with the U.S.
Constitution, are conducted under effective congressional oversight, and are limited to efforts proven effective at safeguarding our country.”
Here is the full text of the letter:
Dear Senators:
On May 13, 2015, the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 (H.R. 2048) passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 338 to 88. We, the undersigned representatives, opposed the measure because its reforms do not adequately or appropriately reform surveillance practices or address privacy concerns. Many of our colleagues felt similarly, supporting the bill only out of concern the Senate would be unwilling to engage in more comprehensive reform.
The American people deserve congressional action that secures their constitutional rights. While we recognize the government's legitimate interests in certain surveillance activities intended to protect the United States, these intrusions must be carefully limited and overseen in order to avoid encroaching upon the freedoms they are intended to preserve. The recent decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit declaring the government's interpretation of "relevant" unlawful underscores that Congress must do more. We urge you to join us in ensuring the federal government’s surveillance practices comport with the U.S. Constitution, are conducted under effective congressional oversight, and are limited to efforts proven effective at safeguarding our country.
Congress has had ample time for debate. We must not kick the can down the road with a short-term reauthorization. Nor will we acquiesce to any effort to weaken this legislation. Indeed, there is strong support for real reform in this chamber, and we hope you will work with us to improve the legislation, such as by incorporating the reforms contained in the original USA FREEDOM Act of 2013, which was cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 152 representatives in the House, and the reforms embodied in the Massie-Lofgren amendment, which was overwhelmingly adopted by the House last year.
We look forward to working together to better protect the rights of all Americans.
Sincerely,The letter was signed by 33 Republicans and 27 Democrats, roughly 14% of each caucus.
Here are the 33 Republicans:
Justin Amash (MI-03)
Rod Blum (IA-01)
Dave Brat (R-VA)
Curt Clawson (FL-19)
Scott DesJarlais (TN-04)
Jeff Duncan (SC-03)
John Duncan (TN-02)
John Fleming (R-LA)
Scott Garrett (NJ-05)
Christopher Gibson (NY-19)
Louie Gohmert (TX-02)
Paul Gosar (AZ-04)
Tom Graves (GA-14)
Andy Harris (MD-01)
Jody Hice (R-GA)
Tim Huelskamp (KS-01)
Water Jones (NC-03)
Jim Jordan (OH-04)
Raúl Labrador (ID-01)
Cynthia Lummis (WY-AL)
Thomas Massie (KY-04)
Tom McClintock (CA-04)
Mark Meadows (NC-11)
Mick Mulvaney (SC-05)
Richard Nugent (FL-11)
Scott Perry (PA-04)
Ted Poe (TX-02)
Bill Posey (FL-08)
Dana Rohrabacher (CA-48)
Phil Roe (TN-01)
Mark Sanford (SC-01)
David Schweikert (AZ-06)
Ted Yoho (FL-03)
Here are the 27 Democrats:
Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Mike Capuano (MA-07)
Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Diana DeGette (CO-01)
Lloyd Doggett (CO-02)
Donna Edwards (MD-04)
Keith Ellison (MN-05)
Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Alan Grayson (FL-09)
Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03)
Alcee Hastings (FL-20)
Mike Honda (CA-17)
Barbara Lee (CA-13)
John Lewis (GA-05)
Ted Lieu (CA-33)
Alan Lowenthal (CA-47)
Jim McGovern (MA-02)
Frank Pallone (NJ-06)
Chellie Pingree (ME-01)
Mark Pocan (WI-02)
Jared Polis (CO-02)
Charles B. Rangel (NY-13)
José Serrano (NY-15)
Mark Takano (CA-41)
Chris Van Hollen (MD-08)
Maxine Waters (CA-43)
Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)
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