On Wednesday, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) put forward legislation aimed at eliminating surveillance tools used by the intelligence community, which she claims undermine American civil liberties.
Luna remarked, “For more than two decades, individuals within the US intelligence community have exploited the Patriot Act to create some of the most advanced and inscrutable surveillance technologies in the Western world,” in a statement to Breitbart News.
She has introduced the American Privacy Repair Methods bill, which aims to repeal the Patriot Act—a post-9/11 legislation that significantly widened the scope of government surveillance.
According to Elizabeth Goitein, Senior Director at the Brennan Center for Justice, the laws implemented after 9/11 expanded warrantless surveillance dramatically:
In various contexts, it has become permissible for the government to collect private US information based on the assertion that it is “related” to a legitimate purpose, without a reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing. Sensitive data, including communications, is now subject to collection by the NSA without the need for a court-approved warrant, which was previously required for conversations involving Americans.
Ironically, Goitein pointed out, this surge in surveillance has not led to enhanced safety.
There’s absolutely no evidence that this unwarranted surveillance makes us more secure. Take the NSA’s “bulk collection” program, a prime example of this method. Two independent analyses found there was minimal counterterrorism benefit. In fact, excessive data gathering may actually hinder efforts.
“To remedy this situation, we must reinstate the restrictions that were diminished after 9/11 and implement new safeguards,” she noted.
Luna presented her bill during a session of the House Judiciary Committee that was examining warrantless government oversight.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) stated, “We must ensure victory this time. In 2024, lawmakers focused on privacy nearly succeeded in passing an amendment that necessitated reassessing American communications before re-authorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).”
As Congress approaches re-approval of this surveillance law next year, Luna is advocating for limits on the government’s searches that infringe on constitutional protections for Americans.
“My legislation dismantles these so-called deep state tools and safeguards the Fourth Amendment rights of all Americans against unreasonable searches and seizures. It’s time to rethink governance alongside intelligence agencies and restore privacy rights.
