By Ted Bordelon
Wire Managing Editor
Bucks County Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick is set to introduce a bill that aims to rein in the surveillance program of the National Security Agency (NSA), and also penalize the NSA through funding cuts if it oversteps its bounds.
“We can not sacrifice personal liberty for the illusion of safety,” Fitzpatrick said in a conference call with reporters. “I believe the program can be constitutional and safe and effective.”
The bill specifically targets section 215 of the Patriot Act, which allows for the collection of phone records of Americans who are not under investigation.
If passed, it will limit the NSA’s surveillance program to “suspected individuals,” and the NSA will lose its funding if it “oversteps bounds.”
Fitzpatrick noted the recent Washington Post report that cited 2,776 incidents of “unauthorized surveillance” as one of the key reasons for his decision to introduce the bill. The report was based on a top-secret NSA audit leaked by former CIA and NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
He also said that he feels the NSA’s surveillance program has been on the forefront of his constituents’ minds during the August congressional recess.
“The NSA’s domestic spying program has, I would say, startled Americans since what I can really only describe as the unceremonious unveiling a couple of months ago,” Fitzpatrick said.
Fitzpatrick’s announcement comes on the heels of a similar amendment proposed before the recess by Justin Amash (R-Mich.), which was narrowly defeated 205–217. Fitzpatrick, who voted for the amendment, described the close tally as “a clear statement.”
“We’re at a crossroads,” Fitzpatrick said. “We have to strike a balance between the right to privacy and the desire to secure national security in the 21st century where the enemy of America is acting alone and is often unknown.”
He said that the details of the NSA’s overreach that have been revealed may be the “tip of the iceberg.”
“Based upon what we’re being told by media, the conclusion is there’s more to come,” Fitzpatrick said.
