SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Today in Washington, D.C., Calif. Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley) released the following statement about today’s passing of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Reauthorization:
“Our nation’s safety and security is critical, but Congress must work collaboratively to strike the right balance between privacy and security. After much thought, I voted No on the FISA Reauthorization Bill. This legislation needs work.
Throughout my career, I have been committed to protecting the constitutional rights of my constituents and all Americans. Any legislation that narrows American civil liberties, no matter what the reason, deserves thoughtful work and debate. S.139 is yet another bill being rushed to a vote.
Republicans knew the deadline, but instead wasted months on the middle class destroying Tax Scam and failed ACA repeal bill. They have been delinquent in their duty to govern and failed to reauthorize many life sustaining programs that hard working Americans depend on, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Let me be clear. I have faith in my colleagues on the Intelligence and the Judiciary Committees. However, the two bill alternatives that were proposed do not properly balance our need for security and our right to privacy. I agree with the Ranking Member of the Intelligence Committee that we needed more time to work on this bill.
I believe we could have found a compromise that protects the privacy of U.S. persons, but also allows the Intelligence Community to be nimble. The American people deserve more.”
