Tell Senator Schumer: We Want the GSRA!

The Government Surveillance Reform Act was announced this week, a bipartisan, bicameral piece of legislation that renews FISA Section 702 with sweeping reforms to government surveillance powers. Rather than support this once-in-a-generation opportunity to rein in the surveillance state, Senator Schumer is pushing for a short reauthorization of FISA Section 702 before the December 31st sunset date. We need you to write to Senator Schumer to let him know that his constituents want him to cosponsor the GSRA.

The GSRA is the best answer to the upcoming expiration of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), an intrusive spying authority that sweeps up many thousands' of Americans communications every year. FBI agents abuse this authority to spy on protesters, worshippers, and even to stalk people.

The GSRA tackles these issues, and requires that:

  • FBI and other intelligence officials must acquire a warrant prior to querying the Section 702 NSA database for U.S. persons' communications, with exceptions carved out for exigent circumstances and individuals that have given prior consent to a search
  • Limits the purpose and scope of Section 702 to foreign intelligence only
  • Sets up accountability procedures for negligent violations of querying procedures
  • Requires transparency measures that disclose, in a timely manner, the number of U.S. persons targeted under Section 702 as well as significant Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) opinions
  • Closes the "data broker loophole" so that federal agencies can't buy their way around the Fourth Amendment

And much, much more.

Senator Schumer has supported measures enshrined in the GSRA previously. He was an original cosponsor of The Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act. He's voted to strengthen the role of amici in FISA Court proceedings, the civil liberties and technology experts charged with advising the FISC in the best interest of our Constitutional rights. He's even voted in favor of an amendment that would prohibit FBI collection of web browsing history without a warrant. Schumer has essentially already voted for major portions of the GSRA, so his cosponsorship is a logical and sound next step.

Tell Senator Schumer: No FISA reauthorization without major reforms! Searching Americans' communications requires a warrant!

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