U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today introduced The Protect Our Civil Liberties Act to repeal the USA PATRIOT Act and the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 in an effort to restore Americans’ civil liberties, guaranteed by our Constitution.
The USA PATRIOT Act was a re-write of our nation’s surveillance laws in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
According to Steube’s office, the result was expanded government overreach and increased capabilities for the U.S. government to spy, conduct warrantless searches, and obtain private records – even those held by third parties.
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“Reports have shown the FBI has seriously abused sections of the USA PATRIOT Act. The FISA Amendments Act has wrongfully permitted the government to collect mass amounts of Americans’ personal data and communications, including email traffic, phone calls, and text messages in the name of national security,” said Rep. Steube in a release.
“For decades now, the misnamed Patriot Act and the 2008 FISA Amendments have allowed the federal government to trample on the rights of law-abiding American citizens. As the federal government has become increasingly weaponized against its own people, it is imperative we rein in this overreach,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “We can have a secure nation and retain our civil liberties at the same time.”
Congressman Greg Steube is a member of the Select Subcommittee of the Weaponization of the Federal Government. The select subcommittee was established in the 118th Congress to investigate surveillance abuses from the Executive Branch on American citizens and the undermining of Americans’ civil liberties.
The USA PATRIOT Act is a law that was passed by the United States Congress in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The law’s full name is the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001.
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The USA PATRIOT Act gives law enforcement agencies broad new powers to investigate and prosecute suspected terrorists. These powers include the ability to:
- Conduct warrantless wiretaps and searches of homes and businesses.
- Share information more easily between law enforcement agencies.
- Detain foreign nationals suspected of terrorism without charge.
- Monitor financial transactions.
The USA PATRIOT Act has been controversial since its passage. Some people believe that the law gives law enforcement too much power and could be used to violate civil liberties. Others believe that the law is necessary to protect the country from terrorism.
The USA PATRIOT Act has been amended several times since it was passed. In 2011, the law was extended for four more years. In 2015, the law was reauthorized for another four years, but with some changes that were designed to protect civil liberties.
Here are some of the specific provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act:
- Section 201: This section allows the FBI to obtain a warrantless wiretap if the target is “reasonably believed” to be a member of a terrorist organization or to be engaged in international terrorism.
- Section 202: This section allows the FBI to obtain a warrantless search of a business or residence if the target is “reasonably believed” to be a member of a terrorist organization or to be engaged in international terrorism.
- Section 203: This section allows the FBI to share information more easily between law enforcement agencies.
- Section 215: This section allows the FBI to obtain a court order to require a business or organization to turn over “tangible things” that are relevant to an investigation of international terrorism. “Tangible things” can include business records, financial records, and library records.
- Section 411: This section allows the government to detain foreign nationals suspected of terrorism without charge for up to 72 hours.
- Section 314(a): This section allows the government to monitor financial transactions that are “reasonably suspected” to involve money laundering or the financing of terrorism.
The USA PATRIOT Act has been criticized by some people who believe that it gives law enforcement too much power and could be used to violate civil liberties. Others believe that the law is necessary to protect the country from terrorism. The law has been amended several times since it was passed, and it is still in effect today.
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