Memorializes the United States Congress to reform the Foreign Intelligence and Surveillance Act, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and to restore the rights of privacy and unreasonable search and seizure
If enacted, HR111 would express a strong legislative intent aimed at significantly reforming federal surveillance laws that critics argue infringe upon constitutional rights. The resolution emphasizes the importance of maintaining individual privacy rights as enshrined in the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. It calls for the repeal of the USA Patriot Act, positioning itself against potential abuses of power by intelligence and law enforcement agencies, which the bill claims have historically undermined civil liberties in pursuit of security.
House Resolution 111, introduced by Representative Owen, memorializes the United States Congress to reform the Foreign Intelligence and Surveillance Act (FISA) and the procedures of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC). The resolution stresses the need for restoring rights related to privacy and unreasonable search and seizure that have reportedly been eroded through legislative actions, particularly since the post-9/11 era. The focus is on protecting citizens' civil liberties from excessive governmental surveillance, which the bill argues has moved the United States toward a surveillance state.
The sentiment surrounding HR111 is largely focused on the tension between national security interests and civil liberties. Supporters of the resolution view it as a necessary corrective to government overreach, advocating for a restoration of privacy rights. On the other hand, opponents may argue that such reforms could hinder the government's capability to act decisively against threats, thus portraying a divide between those prioritizing personal freedoms and those emphasizing security.
One notable point of contention surrounding HR111 is its challenge to the established framework of national security law created after 9/11. Proponents assert that FISA and the FISC lack adequate protections for citizens and highlight historical government misdeeds in the name of security. There is an ongoing debate about the balance required between ensuring effective law enforcement and protecting constitutional rights, reflecting broader national conversations on privacy and security that are increasingly relevant in today’s digital age.