Date: May 28, 2020
Subject: Advancing Warrantless Surveillance of Americans via FISA Reauthorization without Conservative Reforms
Description: This procedural motion is designed to advance the USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act without conservative reforms, such as those advocated by President Trump or implemented under the amendment offered by Sen. Lee (R-UT) and Sen. Leahy (D-VT). Specifically, the measure reauthorizes through 2023 three Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) authorities that had expired under the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001. The FISA courts are designed to surveil foreign threats to U.S. national security and operate largely independently from the U.S. justice system with judges picked solely by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. By reauthorizing without reforms, FISA courts would be able to continue to deviate from their foreign assignments and instead circumvent the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution and infringe the privacy rights of millions of American citizens.
ACU recognizes that the nation witnessed demonstrable evidence of the need for reform, given that the Obama FBI was caught red-handed exploiting FISA courts to spy on the 2016 Trump campaign. ACU supports the founders' belief in the Fourth Amendment and supports significant reforms to the Patriot Act and FISA to help protect Americans from unlawful search and seizure. The House passed a motion to disagree with the Senate amendments and send the bill to conference. (Following this vote, the bill was formally withdrawn from consideration.)
Result: Agreed to, 284-122
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