Free Press Action Fund Supports the USA RIGHTS Act, Commends Bipartisan Push to Protect Privacy Rights
WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, a bipartisan coalition of senators introduced the USA RIGHTS Act, which would reform Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act by making important changes to a sweeping and secretive government spying program that exploits loopholes to collect and search information on people inside the United States.
The bill’s chief sponsors are Sens. Ron Wyden (D–Oregon) and Rand Paul (R–Kentucky), who gathered support from nine additional sponsoring senators. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D–California), Ted Poe (R–Texas) and Beto O’Rourke (D–Texas) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
Free Press Action Fund Government Relations Manager Sandra Fulton made the following statement:
“Free Press Action Fund commends Senators Wyden and Paul for their leadership in introducing legislation to rein in a sweeping internet-surveillance program and better protect everyone’s Fourth Amendment privacy rights.
“The bipartisan USA RIGHTS Act offers much-needed reforms to Section 702. In particular, it would close the backdoor-search loophole, which allows U.S. intelligence agencies to spy on the communications of people inside the United States without a warrant.
“No government entity should have such oppressive surveillance powers. This is an especially grave concern under the Trump administration, which has used surveillance to unjustly target people of color and political dissidents. Reauthorizing Section 702 without the robust reforms put forth in the bill from Senators Wyden and Paul would let this White House violate the privacy rights of people across America.”
