R Street disappointed in Senate’s failure to advance NSA reform
WASHINGTON (Nov. 18, 2014) — The R Street Institute expressed deep disappointment at a failed procedural vote to advance balanced legislation that would rein in NSA surveillance while maintaining essential operational capabilities of the intelligence community.
R Street joined alongside a broad coalition of civil libertarians, technology companies and public interest groups in support of the USA FREEDOM Act, but an attainable solution slipped through Congress’ fingertips.
“It is extremely disappointing to see the Senate fail to advance this vital reform to our surveillance state,” said R Street policy analyst Nathan Leamer. “This was an opportunity for the world’s greatest deliberative body to restore American citizens’ privacy rights and renew global confidence in our technology sector.”
“While some have criticized the bill for not going far enough, we believe this action was a positive step toward a much larger conversation about restoring the proper balance of privacy and security in America,” Leamer added. “While Congress continues to balk at progress, it will inevitably retread this very conversation next year.”
