[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 93 (Thursday, June 11, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E883-E884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                BULK DATA COLLECTION TRAMPLES OUR RIGHTS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 2015

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the unrestricted and unconstitutional 
bulk data collection program started by the NSA represents the worst of 
the Washington Machine.
  A recent poll shows that a majority of Americans agree.
  The government should not have the authority to collect information 
without first obtaining a warrant. Period.
  Our Founders feared a government powerful enough to commit 
unreasonable searches and seizures, so they crafted the Fourth 
Amendment to protect our right to privacy.
  Though technology has evolved and continues to do so, the 
Constitution remains the same.
  Gone are the days where Americans use their cellphones exclusively 
for phone calls and text messages.
  Many people also use their phones for daily activities from tracking 
their steps to logging their finances or inputting what they ate that 
day.
  The Fourth Amendment protects our phone conversations, our emails, 
our texts, our Internet history, our bank statements and more.
  The NSA bulk-collection program tramples our rights.
  Recently, the 2nd U.S. Court of Appeals deemed this bulk collection 
of data illegal.
  Now, some members of Congress are trying to pass a law that allows 
this illegal surveillance to continue, and I will not stand for it.
  The House of Representatives recently passed the USA Freedom Act, 
which makes some steps to limit data collection under Section 215 of 
the Patriot Act; however, the bill does nothing to limit government 
spying under Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act.
  Contrary to claims that the House bill would ``end bulk 
surveillance,'' the truth is it would not.
  The NSA uses Section 702 as a means to gather not only data, but 
actual content of communications--content of your phone calls, texts 
and emails. Section 702 is more intrusive than Section 215.
  In the course of this collection, the content of American citizens, 
many of whom have done nothing wrong or illegal, is also collected.
  Current law allows law enforcement to then search through this data 
for information and they can do so without a warrant.

[[Page E884]]

  Reverse-targeting of American citizens is inconsistent with the 
Constitution and must stop now.
  Opponents of civil liberties will argue that these mass invasions of 
privacy will make us safer.
  Americans should not have to give up their constitutional rights for 
national security.
  Casting too wide of a collection net for intelligence can be a 
distraction from the analysis necessary to stop plots and--to counter 
terrorism.
  Let's be clear: The NSA should keep close watch on suspected 
terrorists to keep our country safe.
  But before invading the privacy of American citizens, a warrant must 
and can be obtained in a timely manner.
  Programs that permit due process and are held accountable by an open 
court will serve as a just way to collect intelligence.
  The sacrifice of our personal liberty for security is and will 
forever be a false choice.
  I have introduced several pieces of legislation that would restrain 
the federal government: This legislation includes H.R. 2233, the End 
Warrantless Surveillance of Americans Act. H.R. 2233 would prohibit 
warrantless searches of government databases for information that 
pertains to U.S. citizens. It would also forbid government agencies 
from mandating or requesting ``back doors'' into commercial products 
that can be used for surveillance.
  This legislation mirrors an amendment that was offered to the USA 
Freedom Act, which was backed by a broad bipartisan coalition, 
including members of Congress and outside groups across the political 
spectrum.
  The fight for NSA reform is ongoing, and I will continue to stand up 
and defend the Bill of Rights.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________