Republicans in both the House and the Senate are unhappy that Attorney General William Barr wants a simple reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, with sources telling National Review that GOP critics of FISA are “adamant” that serious reforms must be implemented before the reauthorization.
Barr reportedly told GOP senators during a lunch Tuesday that they should move to reauthorize the expiring portions of FISA’s surveillance powers as he continues to implement internal reforms. The intelligence community also supports a clean reauthorization prior to the implementation of significant reforms. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, reportedly favors a clean reauthorization.
Numerous Democrats are also in favor of reforms, as is President Trump, who tweeted an affirmation of Rep. Jim Jordan's tweet that the secret spy court must be reformed.
The intelligence community -- a major force behind the Deep State (=the System =the Establishment) -- usually gets its way in terms of spook power versus constitutional liberties. But despite the opposition of McConnell and Barr, chances look strong that changes are imminent. Not only are Republicans anxious that the intelligence system is never used against a presidential candidate again, there is no doubt that many Democrats -- despite their public positions -- see the writing on the wall: that spooks could just as easily be turned against them.
Even so, the question is: will reforms be hard-nosed or mere window-dressing?
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has been among those adamant on the need to rein in the Foreign Intelligence Act (FISA) court.
Paul tweeted that Trump told him Wednesday that he wants Congress to pass FISA reform before it reauthorizes portions of it that expire in March.
“I’m pleased he is urging FISA reform NOW – and not a reauthorization of the current Patriot Act,” Paul tweeted, adding that he was working with Rep. Jim Jordan, R., Ohio, and others “to make these needed reforms happen now!”
In a video, Paul asserts that Trump agrees with him that the court should never again be allowed to authorize clandestine surveillance of election campaigns or of any American.
Paul denounces FISA on surveillance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLHyUPhYNVI&feature=youtu.be
In a statement, Paul said, "As a senator, I have pushed back hard against a status quo that empowers the surveillance state to spy on innocent Americans. The abuses of such a system have been clear over the years, including officials even spying on President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign."
He added, "In my latest video, I looked at the current chapter in this debate, as Congress once again considers reauthorizing certain expiring provisions" of the FISA court that allow for "roving wiretaps, greater access to our most personal information, and targeting individuals on mere suspicion -- all authorized by a secret court and without our knowledge."
Paul declared, "History has repeatedly proven just how dangerous it can be when we sacrifice our rights to create a temporary -- and ultimately false -- sense of security.
In other comments, Paul said, "As a part of the upcoming debate, I will introduce legislation to make sure secret courts can no longer spy on presidential campaigns, campaigns for federal or state office, or on individuals who exercise their First Amendment right by becoming members of an organization advocating for certain public policy agendas.
"Fear and complacency cannot be what influences our lawmakers’ decisions any longer," he noted, pointing out that we "cannot pick and choose which of the Bill of Rights we will enforce."
Jordan tweeted Wednesday that “we can’t simply reauthorize the system” after the Horowitz report, which detailed how the FBI, under James Comey as director, had made 17 errors related to its Crossfire Hurricane investigation of the 2016 Trump campaign, which relied significantly on FISA warrants. Trump then retweeted Jordan, saying “They spied on my campaign!”
Barr reportedly told GOP senators during a lunch Tuesday that they should move to reauthorize the expiring portions of FISA’s surveillance powers as he continues to implement internal reforms. The intelligence community also supports a clean reauthorization prior to the implementation of significant reforms. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, reportedly favors a clean reauthorization.
Numerous Democrats are also in favor of reforms, as is President Trump, who tweeted an affirmation of Rep. Jim Jordan's tweet that the secret spy court must be reformed.
The intelligence community -- a major force behind the Deep State (=the System =the Establishment) -- usually gets its way in terms of spook power versus constitutional liberties. But despite the opposition of McConnell and Barr, chances look strong that changes are imminent. Not only are Republicans anxious that the intelligence system is never used against a presidential candidate again, there is no doubt that many Democrats -- despite their public positions -- see the writing on the wall: that spooks could just as easily be turned against them.
Even so, the question is: will reforms be hard-nosed or mere window-dressing?
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has been among those adamant on the need to rein in the Foreign Intelligence Act (FISA) court.
Paul tweeted that Trump told him Wednesday that he wants Congress to pass FISA reform before it reauthorizes portions of it that expire in March.
“I’m pleased he is urging FISA reform NOW – and not a reauthorization of the current Patriot Act,” Paul tweeted, adding that he was working with Rep. Jim Jordan, R., Ohio, and others “to make these needed reforms happen now!”
In a video, Paul asserts that Trump agrees with him that the court should never again be allowed to authorize clandestine surveillance of election campaigns or of any American.
Paul denounces FISA on surveillance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLHyUPhYNVI&feature=youtu.be
In a statement, Paul said, "As a senator, I have pushed back hard against a status quo that empowers the surveillance state to spy on innocent Americans. The abuses of such a system have been clear over the years, including officials even spying on President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign."
He added, "In my latest video, I looked at the current chapter in this debate, as Congress once again considers reauthorizing certain expiring provisions" of the FISA court that allow for "roving wiretaps, greater access to our most personal information, and targeting individuals on mere suspicion -- all authorized by a secret court and without our knowledge."
Paul declared, "History has repeatedly proven just how dangerous it can be when we sacrifice our rights to create a temporary -- and ultimately false -- sense of security.
In other comments, Paul said, "As a part of the upcoming debate, I will introduce legislation to make sure secret courts can no longer spy on presidential campaigns, campaigns for federal or state office, or on individuals who exercise their First Amendment right by becoming members of an organization advocating for certain public policy agendas.
"Fear and complacency cannot be what influences our lawmakers’ decisions any longer," he noted, pointing out that we "cannot pick and choose which of the Bill of Rights we will enforce."
Jordan tweeted Wednesday that “we can’t simply reauthorize the system” after the Horowitz report, which detailed how the FBI, under James Comey as director, had made 17 errors related to its Crossfire Hurricane investigation of the 2016 Trump campaign, which relied significantly on FISA warrants. Trump then retweeted Jordan, saying “They spied on my campaign!”
No comments:
Post a Comment