Rep. Zoe Lofgren Statement Ahead of Surveillance Reform Markup in House Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON, DC – Ahead of the House Judiciary Committee’s markup on surveillance reform, U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), the co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Fourth Amendment Caucus, released the following statement:

“U.S. government surveillance authorities have strayed from their original foreign anti-terrorism intent and, for too long, intelligence and law enforcement agencies have had nearly unchecked access to Americans’ personal data. All the while, Congress has done far too little to uphold Fourth Amendment rights. That can and must finally change.

“I recently joined with colleagues and civil society groups across the political spectrum to introduce the most significant proposal to overhaul surveillance laws in nearly half a century. We did so not because we often see eye-to-eye or work together, but because the privacy rights of Americans rise to a level of importance worthy of our nonpartisan collaboration. The Government Surveillance Reform Act offers reform solutions sought for decades, and many of our exact legislative measures are included in the bill being debated (and hopefully passing) the Judiciary Committee today. I am proud of the strong measures up for discussion that would dramatically curb surveillance abuse and protect Americans' civil liberties, while preserving national security.

“I do think the Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act can be made stronger by more closely mirroring the Government Surveillance Reform Act, and I have put together amendments to further close search loopholes and enhance transparency and enforcement. Unfortunately, I tested positive for COVID-19 and will be isolating instead of attending the markup as I planned. I appreciate that colleagues of mine have offered to present my drafted amendments for consideration to strengthen the privacy reform legislation.

“The old arguments about the necessity of unchecked surveillance authorities to address national security threats remain false. We don't have to choose security or privacy. It's not one or the other. We can prevent abuses while being kept safe. It is both possible and necessary for the Fourth Amendment and national security to go hand-in-hand.”

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