Usa Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2020

Floor Speech

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Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I am especially thankful to Chairman Schiff for yielding me this time since I have reached a different conclusion on the bill than he has.

I would like to quote from the American Civil Liberties Union letter received today. The American Civil Liberties Union strongly urges us to vote ``no'' on this bill.

They say: ``Over the last several years, it has been abundantly clear that many of our surveillance laws are broken.'' But that, ``disappointingly, the reforms contained in H.R. 6172 are minimal--in many cases merely representing a codification of the status quo. In addition,'' the ACLU says, ``the bill contains provisions that would be a step back from even our flawed current law.''

The ACLU goes on to say that ``the bill fails to require that individuals receive appropriate notice and access to information when FISA information is used against them,'' that ``the bill fails to fully address deficiencies with the FISA court that have led to illegal surveillance,'' that ``the bill fails to appropriately limit the types of information that can be collected under section 215,'' that ``the bill fails to appropriately raise the standard for collecting information under section 215,'' and that ``the bill fails to appropriately limit the retention of information collected under section 215.''

I agree with the chairman that the roving wiretap provision in the act is important and should be renewed. But I cannot support the bill that is before us today, and I say that with tremendous respect for Chairman Schiff. We have had very candid and useful discussions. I appreciate the effort that he has put into this.

I have put in a lot of effort, too. But in the end, we have a bill that I think should not be supported. I intend to vote ``no,'' with tremendous respect for the chairman and the effort that he has put into this.

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