Strengthening Defense Abroad & Civil Liberties at Home

“American security requires more than protection from threats abroad – we must also defend civil liberties at home.”

WASHINGTON, DC – House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement today after the House passed H.R. 2048, the United and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA Freedom) Act of 2015, which ends bulk data collection on American individuals, while strengthening our national security.

“American security requires more than protection from threats abroad – we must also defend civil liberties at home. For too long, vague terminology in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) has given intelligence-gathering programs the ability to collect personal information of everyday Americans. Today, I voted to end this bulk collection, creating specific requirements to protect the privacy of American citizens, without harming national security. The USA Freedom Act also modernizes FISA, making it easier for the government to track ever-changing foreign terrorist threats. I thank Rep. Jim Sensenbrener (R-WI) and Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) for their dedication to protecting and defending American families.”