New "Freedom Act" Would Curtail the Patriot Act

[unhappycamper]

http://truth-out.org/news/item/19767-new-freedom-act-would-curtail-the-patriot-act

Two congressmen who were involved in the passage of the Patriot Act have introduced a bill that would reign in secret surveillance of Americans.

New "Freedom Act" Would Curtail the Patriot Act
Saturday, 02 November 2013 09:33
By Katie Rucke, Mint Press News | Report

Amid continuing revelations that the U.S. government not only conducted invasive surveillance on its own citizens but on world leaders — including U.S. allies — Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.) introduced a piece of legislation that would “restore Americans’ privacy rights by ending the government’s dragnet collection of phone records and requiring greater oversight, transparency, and accountability with respect to domestic surveillance authorities.”

Known as the USA FREEDOM Act, the legislation would “end the dragnet collection of Americans’ phone records under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act — which allows the FBI to order any person or entity to hand over any tangible item to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities — and ensures that other authorities cannot be used to justify similar dragnet collection.”

The bill, which has 16 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle, would also implement safeguards to ensure that the U.S. government does not conduct warrantless surveillance.

A Special Advocate position would also be created to ensure that Americans’ privacy rights and civil liberties were protected, and detailed public reports about the type and frequency of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) orders would also be required.

[Atman]

1. I think the horse is already out if the barn

The infrastructure is too massive. Too many people vested in our spy industry. Even if they tell us they've stopped it, I wouldn't believe them.

[gopiscrap]

2. yes

[bemildred]

3. I want ALL of those Congresspersons thrown out before we start drafting new laws.

We have had quite enough of this incompetent and venal Congress.