Let The Protect America Act Expire
Contact: (202) 675-2312 or media@dcaclu.org
End Warrantless Wiretapping and Embrace the Constitution
Washington, DC - The ACLU exhorts members of the House to let the unconstitutional Protect America Act expire and stand strong on not letting the phone companies off the hook for law breaking.
Statement from Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office:
"The House should stand up to the bullying from the president and reject the administration’s lies and fear mongering. This administration has abused its power over and over again and it is time for the House to reject any attempts to consider the unconstitutional Senate Intelligence Committee FISA bill.
"We hope the House and Senate let the Protect America Act expire and tell the administration that if it wants to wiretap Americans on American soil, it needs to get a warrant from the FISA court.
"America can be safe without warrantless wiretapping. All the National Security Agency needs to do is get a warrant from the FISA court, and operate within the law.
"Terrorism is a threat. But ignoring the Constitution is also a threat. Liberty is America’s greatest treasure. It is our freedom that makes us a great nation.
"The phone and Internet companies that gave private call information to the government without a FISA warrant may have been breaking the law. The people whose private phone calls and emails were turned over deserve to have their day in court against the phone companies. Let the American system of justice decide this case. Do not give the phone companies a get out of jail free card. If the companies really `did the right thing’ as the president said, then they have nothing to fear from going to court."
To read more about the ACLU’s efforts to keep America safe and free and specifically to read about the FISA fight go to: www.aclu.org/fisa