| Washington, DC – Congressman Bill Shuster voted Thursday night to authorize wiretaps and other electronic surveillance of suspected terrorists. The Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act (H.R.5825) helps fight the ongoing global War on Terror and protect Americans from those who want to disrupt our way of life. The bill passed the House of Representatives last night by a vote of 232-191.
“Gathering intelligence is the first line of defense in the War on Terror,” said Shuster. “This legislation is specifically about monitoring terrorists to stop attacks before they happen. Updating our laws is crucial to combat 21st century threats. At the same time, we are increasing congressional oversight and including other safeguards to ensure we respect the privacy of the American public.”
The bill updates outdated provisions of the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act (FISA) to include cell phone and internet communications. It establishes rules and procedures for how the National Security Agency (NSA) monitors terrorist communication and takes steps to protect American civil liberties while we pursue terrorists.
The Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act also allows the NSA to utilize available technologies to monitor terrorists, which is proven to be an effective tool in fighting the War on Terror and keeping America safe from future attacks. |
