Late last week, I published a post about Patriot Act reauthorization that turned out to be extremely popular. It was titled, Congress is Attempting to Reauthorize Key Patriot Act Provisions by Sneaking it Into “USA Freedom Act.” Here’s an excerpt:
June 1, 2015 is a very important day for American civil liberties and the Constitution. On that day, Section 215 of the Patriot Act, one of the most egregious pieces of legislation passed in U.S. history, will expire automatically without reauthorization from Congress. Naturally, this is causing a panic attack within the heart of the NSA, FBI and all the authoritarian lackey legislators in Washington D.C. With the chances of a clean reauthorization next to none, these crafty “representatives” and their puppeteers need to figure out a way to sneak it into another piece of legislation. What better way to do this than making it a part of something that ostensibly appears to be reining in surveillance powers. Enter the USA Freedom Act.
As mentioned, it is widely believed that there isn’t enough support for straight reauthorization unaccompanied by some sort of NSA reform, but that won’t stop GOP establishment queen Mitch McConnell from trying.
McConnell is amongst the most freedom hating, constitution trampling Republican members in the Senate, sharing this distinction with John McCain and Lindsey Graham. What makes McConnell far more dangerous is his position as Senate Majority Leader. Today, the Washington Post informed us how he’s wielding such power:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced a bill Tuesday night to extend through 2020 a controversial surveillance authority under the Patriot Act.
The move comes as a bipartisan group of lawmakers in both chambers is preparing legislation to scale back the government’s spying powers under Section 215 of the Patriot Act.
It puts McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.), the bill’s co-sponsor, squarely on the side of advocates of the National Security Agency’s continued ability to collect millions of Americans’ phone records each day in the hunt for clues of terrorist activity.
You gotta love how the Washington Post just accepts the government talking point that the surveillance is to catch terrorists, despite the fact that Section 215 hasn’t stopped any attacks.
In filing the bill, McConnell and Burr invoked a Senate rule that enabled them to bypass the traditional committee vetting process and take the bill straight to the floor. No date has been set for such consideration.
In case you missed it, Mitch was the subject of one 2014’s most read articles:
Also…
Picture of the Day – Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid: Separated at Birth?
In Liberty,
Michael Krieger
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I would like to thank Liberty Blitzkrieg for bringing this and many other important issues forward. Every morning I grab my cup of coffee and my cell phone and sit down to read the site.
I have my Congressional Members contact information on my phone. This makes it easy to call them up like I did this morning and say “I am against the USA Freedom Act being introduced by Mitch McConnell. It contains zero reforms for the NSA and reauthorizes the Patriot Act.”
With having these numbers are at your fingertips and being able to compose a brief statement out of the title there is no reason not to call. It takes no time.
You may think this is futile. Maybe, but I feel I have done something. I have called them out. I have told them I am watching. Perhaps a few more readers should give it a try.
I always end my call with “I want Campaign Finance Reform.” I work this in several times and ask the staff member to have the Representative/Senator introduce a bill.
I enjoy this site. It is a patriotic endeavor to keep those who govern in check. Please remember to do your part. Put the numbers in your phone contact list. The first call is the hardest.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I agree until more people get active and engaged nothing will change.
One thing to clear up. The USA Freedom Act and the Mitch McConnell bill are different. The USA Freedom Act has some decent reforms, but doesn’t go far enough. It was not introduced by McConnell. What McConnell introduced is separate and has ZERO reforms at all.
Hope this clears it up. Thanks again.
Crossed eye retard