#fisa

It explains how Democrats in the Senate are playing hardball. They are blocking by partisan bills in ways they never have before. I don’t think most people are aware of that. I mean, I wasn’t aware of it until about five minutes ago.

FISA is a warrantless mass surveillance program. The SAVE Act permanently federally disenfranchises married women, trans people, people hiding from violent domestic partners, etc.

Do you think the government should have to get a warrant before massively violating your privacy? Do you thing trans people, married women, etc. should have a right to vote as citizens?

Tell your Congress Critters whatever you need to say to get them to oppose both bills

If you can’t safely contact them in person, here are some other options for contacting your Congress Critters:

Five Calls to your critters: https://5calls.org/

Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resist.bot/

And another: https://faxzero.com/fax_senate.php

Two things that must be fixed before renewal should be allowed, especially considering the Trump Administration

Close the Backdoor Search Loophole

FISA Section 702 Backdoor Searches: Myths and Facts | Brennan Center for Justice 

Congress should close the backdoor search loophole by requiring the government to obtain a warrant before searching Section 702 data for Americans’ communications. 

Close the Data Broker Loophole

The data broker loophole allows government agencies to purchase Americans’ personal data from commercial brokers without a warrant, bypassing traditional Fourth Amendment protections.

A suggested scrippt from Tell Your Senators: Oppose Warrantless AI Mass Surveillance | Indivisible

https://indivisible.org/actions/tell-your-senators-oppose-warrantless-ai-mass-surveillance/

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Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City, State]. I am calling today to ask that [Senator Name] demand major reforms to Section 702 of the FISA, and to withhold your vote from reauthorization without reforms. Now more than ever in the era of mass AI, personal privacy and civil liberties must be protected.

Specifically, it is essential that you withhold your vote from reauthorization until the legislation is amended to: 

Close the Backdoor Search Loophole

Close the Data Broker Loophole

I expect you to hold the line to protect your constituents from unnecessary and warrantless mass surveillance by refusing to reauthorize FISA without reform.

Dr. Ron Paul is 90 years old and as sharp as ever. And he's right. The only time Congress seems to protect our liberty is when it does so by accident.

Read More: https://thefreethoughtproject.com/government-surveillance/congresss-failure-is-libertys-gain-as-fisa-section-702-expires

🔥 Fuel Our Work: https://bit.ly/TFTPSubs 🎙 TFTP Podcast: https://bit.ly/TFTPPodcast

Jacob Knutson at Democracy Docket:

President Donald Trump said he would seek to delay the Senate confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton, his nominee for director of national intelligence (DNI), in yet another attempt to pressure lawmakers into passing the SAVE America Act, a massive anti-voting bill. In a post on social media Wednesday, Trump said his decision would add “a slight bit of intrigue” for “the Good of the Nation” and push the stalled bill across the finish line. If passed, the SAVE America Act would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. Trump’s decision would also help Bill Pulte, a loyalist who has helped target the president’s enemies, become the acting DNI. Trump has said he would like Pulte to use that role to investigate elections that he falsely claimed were “rigged.” In his announcement, Trump said he would not allow Clayton, who is currently the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, to be confirmed as the U.S. spy chief until the Senate confirms Clayton’s replacement. 

“Regarding the approval of our Great Patriot, Jay Clayton, we are cancelling the Senate Hearing RE: DNI today, and will not be going forward until Jamie McDonald is approved to be U.S. Attorney,” Trump said. After initially saying Clayton’s confirmation hearing would proceed as scheduled, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on social media that it was postponed. “It’s regrettable that the president has directed Jay Clayton not to appear at his confirmation hearing today,” Cotton wrote. “While today’s hearing is now unfortunately postponed, I look forward to proceeding with his confirmation in the near future.”

[...] Mixed into the chaos over Trump’s DNI pick is Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a controversial spy tool that allows the federal government to conduct warrantless surveillance on foreign targets outside the country. Lawmakers from both parties have rushed to reauthorize the section after it lapsed last week. However, Trump is effectively using both the reauthorization and his next DNI nominee as leverage to pass the SAVE America Act.

“Therefore, to add a slight bit of intrigue but, for the Good of the Nation, and the People of our Country, I will not approve FISA without THE SAVE AMERICA ACT going along with it,” Trump said while announcing he would not allow Clayton’s nomination to go forward. “In the meantime, Bill Pulte will remain as the Acting Director of National Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added.

Donald Trump’s decision to delay the confirmation of Jay Clayton as DNI head is about two things: Forcing a vote on the disastrous voter suppression bill SAVE America Act and keep fascist henchman Bill Pulte in the acting DNI post to target 47’s enemies for bogus reasons.

See Also:

The Guardian: Trump derails confirmation process for Jay Clayton as US intelligence chief