FreedomWorks Statement in Response to House Democrats’ Decision to Pull FISA Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to President Trump’s threat to veto the USA FREEDOM Act Reauthorization Act, H.R. 6172, and the subsequent withdrawal of the bill from consideration in the House, Jason Pye, FreedomWorks’ Vice President of Legislative Affairs, commented:

“President Trump is correct that warrantless surveillance of Americans is wrong. Our Bill of Rights could hardly be more clear that the strict due process rights of Americans be free from undue search and seizure by the government in the absence of probable cause. H.R. 6172 was a low-quality facsimile of a true reform package, with the exception of the amicus language that was added in the Senate.

“Hopefully, the overwhelming success of bipartisan FISA reforms offered by Senators Lee and Leahy in the Senate can be a new baseline to build from. Along with warrant requirements, such as those included in the Wyden-Daines amendment that so narrowly failed, elected officials can and should work to restore a strong Fourth Amendment so that the abuses that have been revealed can never happen again.

“FreedomWorks will continue to oppose any efforts to reauthorize the expired provisions of FISA without serious reform. We hope to see reformers have a chance to participate in a real, deliberative legislative process instead of being presented with a bill written behind closed doors by Congressional leadership and the DOJ.”