CONGRESS PASSES BILL WHICH GRANTS “UNLIMITED ACCESS TO COMMUNICATIONS OF EVERY AMERICAN”
Amash labels legislation "most egregious I've encountered"
According to Congressman Justin Amash, Congress just passed a bill which grants the government and law enforcement “unlimited access to the communications of every American”.
When the Michigan lawmaker discovered that the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2015 had been amended with a provision that authorizes “the acquisition, retention, and dissemination” of all communications data from U.S. citizens, he desperately attempted to organize a roll call vote on the bill.
However, the legislation was passed yesterday 325-100 via a voice vote, a green light for what Amash describes as “one of the most egregious sections of law I’ve encountered during my time as a representative”.
The bill allows the private communications of Americans to be scooped up without a court order and then transferred to law enforcement for criminal investigations.
The legislation effectively codifies and legalizes mass warrantless NSA surveillance on the American people, with barely a whimper of debate.
Read the full text of Congressman Amash’s letter below, which was sent out before the bill was passed.
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Dear Colleague:
The intelligence reauthorization bill, which the House will vote on today, contains a troubling new provision that for the first time statutorily authorizes spying on U.S. citizens without legal process.
Last night, the Senate passed an amended version of the intelligence reauthorization bill with a new Sec. 309—one the House never has considered. Sec. 309 authorizes “the acquisition, retention, and dissemination” of nonpublic communications, including those to and from U.S. persons. The section contemplates that those private communications of Americans, obtained without a court order, may be transferred to domestic law enforcement for criminal investigations.
To be clear, Sec. 309 provides the first statutory authority for the acquisition, retention, and dissemination of U.S. persons’ private communications obtained without legal process such as a court order or a subpoena. The administration currently may conduct such surveillance under a claim of executive authority, such as E.O. 12333. However, Congress never has approved of using executive authority in that way to capture and use Americans’ private telephone records, electronic communications, or cloud data.
Supporters of Sec. 309 claim that the provision actually reins in the executive branch’s power to retain Americans’ private communications. It is true that Sec. 309 includes exceedingly weak limits on the executive’s retention of Americans’ communications. With many exceptions, the provision requires the executive to dispose of Americans’ communications within five years of acquiring them—although, as HPSCI admits, the executive branch already follows procedures along these lines.
In exchange for the data retention requirements that the executive already follows, Sec. 309 provides a novel statutory basis for the executive branch’s capture and use of Americans’ private communications. The Senate inserted the provision into the intelligence reauthorization bill late last night. That is no way for Congress to address the sensitive, private information of our constituents—especially when we are asked to expand our government’s surveillance powers.
I urge you to join me in voting “no” on H.R. 4681, the intelligence reauthorization bill, when it comes before the House today.
/s/
Justin AmashMember of Congress
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Replies
I Well I guess they are going to read this then... if we are fearful, we only breed fearfulness. I personally don't have anything to hide and my faith is such that if they are to do something to me? Well... the Universe must have something to do with it and I must have some kind of lesson I need. Keep faithful that we are all protected. Is our government truly more powerful then the Universe...? THINK!!!
This "terrorist" crap has got to GO! All a bunch of NONSENSE! If they're so worried about "terrorists" why are the borders WIDE OPEN???!!! 911 was an inside job. The REAL terrorists are our GOVERNMENT! I HOPE I'm on the dissident list!
Didn't mean to insult you Valana. Obama IS a Muslim. ISIS is funded by the CIA. (All "smoke and mirrors").
"But they have to keep up safe", "If you're not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about", this is what some IDIOTS say. They are WILLING SLAVES. Benjamin Franklin said: "Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary security deserve neither safety or security". GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!
When they start trying to take our guns away, then you know something is up.
Oh, somethings been up for a LONG TIME.
If you look into pre-hitler Germany everything that took place, is now happening here in the U.S. only difference is its now in the English. When it happened then it was ignored, just as 99 percent of the people do today. Home Land Security has more authority over police and military, like the SS protecting the home land or mother land then. The military complex like then has massed a great and powerful Armed force and presence here and abroad. What self appointed Hitler will try world domination yet again? all the signs are in place. the next false flag may not be a false one but the kick off of global domination. and that world war will get rid of the global population they want to widdle us down to, as was Hitler's original plan. So this is yet another prime example of snatch more power, on a country who was never free, just the illusion to keep people happy and out of there way. IMOP
JOHN: there are some people in the U.S. who are awake to the Pre-Nazi similarity, as evident by the failing numbers of CNN, McDonalds, MSNBC, and now Walmart ("Black Friday" really sucked!) Nevertheless, there are still a few U.S. citizens that still don't want to face reality, because it is "negative." I say let them watch bull$h!t and eat junk!
Homeland, Fatherland, Motherland. Ugh!