Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 3361, the mis-named "USA FREEDOM Act."
For Immediate Release Date: May 22, 2014
Contact: Russell Solomon
Russell.Solomon@mail.house.gov
Rep. Gosar Votes Against Watered Down USA FREEDOM Act "I was not sent to Congress to be a rubber stamp for business as usual."
Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 3361, the mis-named "USA FREEDOM Act":
"The original Freedom Act, of which I’m proud to have been an original cosponsor, would have prevented the federal government from unconstitutionally spying on innocent Americans, ended the bulk collection of private information and required the FISA court, which operates in secrecy, to become more transparent and operate like a real judicial court. These are necessary reforms demanded by Americans and our Constitution. The original bill provided important protections for American citizens' civil liberties. Unfortunately, however, this legislation was changed at the last minute, causing me to withdraw my support and vote against its passage. The key reforms in the original bill were stripped or weakened to such an extent that I could not in good faith continue to support it. I was not sent to Congress to be a rubber stamp for business as usual.
"Although the bill contains a few improvements to current law - such as minor reforms to FISA courts - the legislation was severely weakened and still permits the large-scale collection of private data without complying with basic 4th Amendment requirements. Even more maddening is the fact that a provision was snuck in to today’s bill that extends Sec. 215 of the Patriot Act through 2017. The original version of the Freedom Act let this dangerous provision expire in 2015. The Patriot Act needs a full and fair debate. Sneaking in an extension is not in the public's best interest.
"I am disappointed that the House accepted this watered down piece of trash, which was endorsed and pushed by the Obama administration and fails to remedy serious government abuses. Our citizens deserve a government that upholds the Constitution and protects our constituents' civil liberties and privacy. A real opportunity was missed this week to fight back against an overreaching federal government that has violated the trust and rights of its citizens. Rest assured that I will continue to fight to end this unconstitutional practice."
BACKGROUND:
Numerous groups withdrew their support for the USA FREEDOM Act after the bill was weakened, including FreedomWorks and Generation Opportunity.
