The House Freedom Caucus (HFC) is urging conservative lawmakers to fight against “Big Brother” ahead of a major House vote on government spy powers.
HFC Chairman Andy Harris is leading the charge in the latest anti-surveillance effort from the Republican Party, urging his colleagues to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and “end the surveillance state.” Harris lays out several HFC non-negotiables in a new video obtained exclusively by the Daily Caller, calling out warrantless spying on American citizens. FISA Section 702 grants the U.S. government the authority to warrantlessly spy on foreigners, which can lead to the collection of Americans’ data. The spy tool is set to expire June 12 after a previous extension. (RELATED: The Orwellian ‘Kill Switch’ Some Republicans Want In Your Car)
“We don’t want Big Brother controlling our cars, tracking our money or spying on every corner of our lives. This is America, not some communist surveillance state,” Harris said.
“If they can spy on a member of Congress, they can spy on you,” Harris added.
FISA was initially intended to surveil and counter “foreign agents” within the U.S. However, bad actors have weaponized its power against American citizens, including President Donald Trump’s campaign. Four FISA warrants were obtained against former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page between October 2016 and June 2017. Those warrants were later found to be erroneous, resulting in a settlement between Page and the Department of Justice in April.
Harris said journalists, protestors, judges and members of Congress have been targeted by warrantless FISA spying. The congressman also alleged that former President Joe Biden’s administration conducted nearly 3 million warrantless surveillance searches on Americans. (RELATED: Republicans Poised To Allow Continued Unfettered Government Spying On American Citizens)
Harris and HFC members have fought persistently for surveillance reforms, especially warrant requirements for Americans, after Congress passed a short term 45-day extension of FISA back in April.
“The deep state better buckle up,” Harris said. “The gloves are coming off.”
“Our privacy is not negotiable.”
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