TO: [US Senate] [US House]
FROM: Frank Doyle
Dear Colleagues,
Attached are two bills designed to improve national security in the U.S. while simultaneously protecting civil liberties. The first is the Protecting American Privacy Act, which aims to redesign the process of citizen data collection by the NSA. It establishes FISA Court warrants as the sole means of obtaining such data, ending the unconstitutional authority granted to the NSA that allows them to collect phone records, GSP data, search history, and browsing information. Additionally, it strengthens oversight processes to prevent the FISA Court from being too permissive with granting warrants by providing the amicus curiae, established by the USA FREEDOM Act, with full access to court materials. Additionally, it prevents private information from being retained for more than three years if a crime or national security concern has not been discovered. Finally, it mandates that all FISA Court decisions with regard to warrants are made public after the conclusion of related investigations.
PAPA would be an unprecedented step towards dialing back our mass surveillance programs. We would appreciate bipartisan support in this effort. Currently, Reps. Nez and Vohoffsky are on the bill, along with Sen. Winthrop. We would like more support.
The second bill is the Protecting American Diplomats Act. In response to recent events in Israel where our nation lost an ambassador to terrorists, it is imperative that we boost security measures to protect members of the U.S. Foreign Service. The legislation is a State Department authorization bill that reallocates the existing $10 billion funding for diplomatic programs to focus on security for diplomatic personnel. Additionally, the bill creates new standards for security hiring and establishes new guidelines for diplomat training for emergencies.
If passed, the bill would be the first State Department Authorization bill in 16 years. It would be a big step forward for making our service members feel safe abroad.
Neither of these are partisan issues, and we would deeply appreciate all the support we could get. Please email me if you would like to be listed as a cosponsor on either bill (or both).
Best,
Senator Frank Doyle
U.S. Junior Senator for Oregon