The Niskanen Center released the following statement on Tuesday’s introduction of the USA FREEDOM Act. The legislation, introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers in both the House and Senate, aims to curb the federal government’s bulk collection of Americans’ communications records under Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act, and institutes new surveillance reforms.
“Americans across the political spectrum have become justifiably alarmed by the government’s overreach in its surveillance and data collection programs. The USA FREEDOM Act is a dramatic step in the right direction, as it ends bulk collection under Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act, but more must be done,” said Niskanen Center vice president Joe Coon. “The Niskanen Center welcomes this first step and will continue to urge policymakers to renew their focus on strengthening civil liberties protections and government transparency.”
Read the full press release: Niskanen Statement on USA FREEDOM Act