Statement on Reports of National Security Agency’s Surveillance Programs

Washington, DC (June 12, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on recent reports on the NSA's surveillance programs:

"The events of recent days have focused our attention on the challenges of balancing national security and our national commitment to civil liberties and privacy. I welcome this debate, which is occurring not just in the halls of Congress but across the country.

"As a member of House Permanent Select Intelligence Committee, I have long believed that we have not done all that we can to protect individual Americans civil liberties. I have had longstanding concerns with the broad surveillance powers Congress has given intelligence agencies, including the National Security Agency (NSA). In 2001, I was one of 66 who voted against the Patriot Act and since 2007, I have consistently voted against expansions of authority under Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

"I strongly believe in defining as narrowly as possible the ability of the government to collect and act on information collected secretly on American citizens. With any surveillance authorities, we need transparency and accountability, which is why I offered amendments to FISA and the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA). As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I have continuously urged greater transparency and accountability surrounding any surveillance."

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