Charleston Reporter

Representative Mace of South Carolina has taken a firm stand against the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), raising concerns about amendments that she believes could jeopardize the civil liberties and privacy rights of Americans. One of the key points of contention for Rep. Mace is the absence of the Biggs Amendment, which aimed to safeguard U.S. person communications from warrantless searches in the FISA 702 database. Rep. Mace emphasized the significance of this amendment in protecting Americans' Fourth Amendment rights from unwarranted intrusion.

In addition to the Biggs Amendment, Rep. Mace highlighted her apprehensions about other proposed amendments attached to Section 702 of FISA. She expressed particular opposition to the expansion of the definition of "foreign intelligence," arguing that broadening the scope to include activities unrelated to national security would lead to a significant escalation in surveillance activities.

Furthermore, Rep. Mace criticized the Waltz (R-FL) Amendment #5, which would allow warrantless searches of Section 702 data for individuals seeking authorization to travel to the United States. She deemed this provision excessive and redundant, considering the existing security measures in place. The Turner (R-OH) Amendment #6, which would broaden the range of companies obligated to assist in surveillance efforts, also drew Rep. Mace's concern as she warned against the potential infringement on privacy rights and the principle of limited government intrusion.

In a statement, Representative Mace underscored the delicate balance between national security and civil liberties, stating, "We cannot, in good conscience, support the government spying on Americans... We must strike a balance between security and liberty, and these amendments tip the scales dangerously in favor of unchecked surveillance." She called for a more balanced approach to surveillance laws that respects privacy without compromising security.

The concerns raised by Representative Mace shed light on the ongoing debate surrounding FISA reauthorization and the potential implications for the privacy rights of individuals. For media inquiries on this matter, individuals are encouraged to contact Gabrielle Lipsky at Gabrielle.Lipsky@mail.house.gov.