On the recordMay 22, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I have heard arguments against this bill, and all of them amount to one argument: the bill doesn't go far enough. I agree. It doesn't, but it is rarely a good argument against a bill to say it doesn't go far enough, if it goes a long way towards solving a real problem. This bill will end bulk collection. It will end it under section 215. It will end it under trace and trap, and it will end it under NSLs. Without this bill--and I hope it is strengthened in the Senate--we will have no chance to end bulk collection, and the current framework which allows the dragnet surveillance of our citizens will continue. I wish this bill were stronger, but it is what we are able to get now. It is a major step forward, and not to pass this bill now would be to say to the NSA: Continue what you are doing, we are placing no restrictions on you beyond what the law already has.
