Jackson Purchase News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) addressed the Senate floor today, emphasizing the importance of the reforms to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that were passed by the House. McConnell highlighted that the House bill contained significant reforms aimed at enhancing accountability and protecting the rights of American citizens within the FISA process.

McConnell pointed out the necessity of updating laws to adapt to the evolving landscape of technology, stating, "Clearly, social media and internet communications usage has changed dramatically since the earliest days of Twitter." He emphasized that the House's bipartisan efforts successfully addressed critical gaps in the collection ability against overseas foreign targets.

Responding to concerns raised by some groups, McConnell clarified that the House bill's reforms do not expand the scope of surveillance to target Americans. He reiterated, "Nothing has been expanded. Section 702 still rightly only applies to foreigners overseas." McConnell urged his colleagues to base their decisions on facts rather than fearmongering, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in utilizing Section 702 for national security purposes.

In conclusion, McConnell urged a rational approach, stating, "Trust but verify, right? Well, this bill helps us do precisely that." He called on his fellow senators to reject hyperbole and misinformation, emphasizing the importance of taking action to safeguard national security while upholding the rights of all individuals involved.