Political Quotes

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Frankly, in the House it is rare today that we have an issue that doesn't break on party lines, and privacy, unfortunately, isn't unanimous. The Fourth Amendment is clear that if the government wants to serve your data, they need to have probable cause and a warrant or a subpoena. The Fourth Amendment is a restriction on what government can do. It is not a restriction on commerce. Unfortunately, government agencies are buying nonpublic data that would otherwise require a warrant or a subpoena. Congress confronts an opportunity today to end that practice by passing the bipartisan and bicameral Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act. Nothing in this bill would prohibit a search, paid for or otherwise, of public information. It would, however, restore privacy protections grossly infringed by current practices. Congressman Higgins, a career law enforcement officer, is offering an amendment today that makes that clear. We have heard from law enforcement agencies, and we want to make it clear, nothing in this bill is designed to make your job harder to do. Mr. LaLota will offer an amendment that I do adamantly oppose. Frankly, it strips much of the content of the bill, and I regret that I do oppose that amendment because it undermines the intent of the bill. Closing this data broker loophole is an important step toward restoring a government small enough to fit within the Constitution, and we could afford a government that small.…”