Bill Description

This bill, originally introduced by Rep. Sensenbrenner (R-WI), would effectively repeal Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act that has been interpreted and used by numerous federal intelligence agencies and secret courts to engage in the blanket surveillance of American citizens. The FREEDOM Act make numerous modifications to the proceedings under FISA courts and restricts the extent to which the federal government can require the warrantless production of certain business records and use of pen registers, trap and trace devices, and other forms of information used for gathering foreign intelligence on American citizens.

Liberty for All's Position

Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act has been distorted and wholly abused by the U.S. intelligence community to engage in a massive, coordinated, and unconstitutional program of dragnet surveillance. The problem is so pervasive and severe the Rep. Sensenbrenner, one of the original authors of the PATRIOT Act, expanded on previous attempts to end the program and brought forth this legislation. The FREEDOM Act would help restore the Fourth Amendment and due process rights of American citizens. Liberty For All supports a complete repeal of the PATRIOT Act and is staunchly opposed to the dragnet collection and storage of the personal records Americans. We will continue to fight against the Orwellian police state and the unconstitutional misuse of our laws to advance a growing authoritarian agenda.

Current Status

This bill was assigned to a congressional committee on October 29, 2013, which will consider it before possibly sending it on to the House or Senate as a whole.