Chance to Stop NSA Phone Spying Defeated by More Repubicans Than Dems

[chucklenut]

i dont endorse the republicans what so ever anymore

i might as well be voting democrat light

 

[Springfield 1911]

i dont endorse the republicans what so ever anymore

i might as well be voting democrat light

Aint it the truth!

 

[2005Redfire6]

i dont endorse the republicans what so ever anymore

i might as well be voting democrat light

Hell I don't trust either of them...

 

[mountainpass]

Collins response:

Dear {mountainpass}:

Thank you for contacting me regarding my vote against the Amash amendment to the FY14 DOD Appropriations bill. I appreciate your questions, and I welcome the opportunity to address your concerns.

To begin, I understand and share your questions about the NSA metadata program. I do not believe there are sufficient protections for Americans’ civil liberties under current policies. However, eliminating this program altogether after a mere ten minutes of debate on the amendment – holding no hearings or markups, would not reflect our duty under Article I of the Constitution to provide for the common defense. I am concerned that the way the Amash amendment was written would have unintended consequences for the intelligence and law enforcement communities beyond the metadata program. Unlike the myths purported by my friend from Michigan, Mr. Amash’s amendment went too far, subverted regular order, and was an easy way to score political points without addressing the actual law that allowed NSA to act as they did. For these reasons, I could not support Mr. Amash’s amendment. I do however appreciate the intent behind his amendment.

I strongly supported another amendment to the FY14 DOD Appropriations bill that addressed the concerns we have about the NSA spying on Americans. The Pompeo/Nugent amendment stated clearly and simply that no funds may be used by the NSA to target a U.S. person or acquire and store the content of a US person’s communications, including phone calls and e-mails.

I commend my colleague from Florida, Mr. Ross, for his thoughtful and deliberative approach to this very concerning issue. He introduced legislation called the “Relevancy Act”, which prevents the government from seeking an order requiring companies like Verizon to turn over all of its caller data. It would also require demonstration that the records sought by the government relate to the person that is subject to the investigation. These are the types of changes to the underlying law that Congress should be considering. Just as throwing money at a problem doesn’t solve everything, neither does restricting just one small pot of money.

I believe that any future changes we make to the law should recognize both the privacy interests and security needs of every American, and reflect actual intelligence and law enforcement operations. As I have stated many times since coming to Washington, any substantive policy changes ought to proceed through regular order so the effects can be understood and debated fully. An across the board funds limitation provision on an appropriations bill is simply not the best way for to address the serious concerns I have about this program.

As a member of the Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over FISA and the PATRIOT Act, I am working with Chairman Goodlatte, as well as the original author of FISA, to ensure that we change the underlying law to protect the civil liberties and 4th amendment rights of all Americans.

Again, thank you for contacting me with your concerns. Please continue to keep me informed on issues that are important to you.

Sincerely,

Doug Collins
Member of Congress

 

[Pebabom]

i dont endorse the republicans what so ever anymore

i might as well be voting democrat light

I vote strictly Libertarian when I can for the same reason. And for those positions I can't choose a libertarian, I look at whichever candidate's philosophy airs on the side of maximum liberty. No more fooling around with this "liberal" or "conservative" garbage, its all meaningless.

 

[chucklenut]

Collins response:

to sum up his response

"im to much of a pansy ***** to represent my constituents in earnest and go against the party mandate and the fed who is breaching those same constituents privacy and trust."

you know how i can tell most career politicians dont represent us? because they are not outraged that citizens are being watched, because they consider themselves to be above average citizens

**** that guy

 

[woodstock]

pathetic. hope those of you in these idiots districts tell your friends and vote these "representatives" out,

 

[chucklenut]

pathetic. hope those of you in these idiots districts tell your friends and vote these "representatives" out,

politicians are like hydra unfortunately

 

[GeauxLSU]

It's the same boiler plate response they ALL give for ANY indefensible vote.

"I didn't vote for (insert name of logically warranted bill or amendment here) because I had some 'concerns' over certain sections of it. I did however vote and/or sponsor (insert name of simplified bill or amendment that had poison pill for other party so everyone knows it doesn't have a snow balls chance in hell of passing yet gives me political coverage) because it would be so much better for you, serf. Please send your donation now so I can continue to look out for you."

They ALL do it and that includes Libertarian leaning pols. They are pols FIRST and foremost.