Washington, DC – Today, the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02), announced their opposition to the FISA reauthorization bill amid concerns regarding the lack of reforms to warrantless online surveillance.
“We have grave concerns that this legislation does not protect people in the United States from warrantless surveillance, especially their online activity including web browsing and internet searches,” said CPC Co-Chairs Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Congressman Mark Pocan. “Despite some positive reforms, the legislation is far too narrow in scope and would still leave the public vulnerable to invasive online spying and data collection.”
“We cannot in good conscience vote for legislation that violates Americans’ fundamental right to privacy,” continued Congresswoman Jayapal and Congressman Pocan. “Therefore, we will be opposing the bill, as well as recommending a ‘no’ vote to members of the Progressive Caucus. For months, we’ve worked to overhaul the expansive surveillance powers authorized in Section 215. There’s no reason to rush through a multi-year authorization that fails to make critical reforms needed to protect the civil liberties of the American public.”
The Progressive Caucus previously opposed the FISA reauthorization bill considered by the House of Representatives in March.
