Jim Sensenbrenner: On Patriot Act and NSA Snooping

Posted on June 6, 2013 by ChrisA

Sensenbrenner to Holder: ‘Un-American’ Verizon Order Violates My Patriot Act

“As the author of the Patriot Act, I am extremely troubled by the FBI’s interpretation of this legislation. While I believe the Patriot Act appropriately balanced national security concerns and civil rights, I have always worried about potential abuses,” Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) said this morning.

“The Bureau’s broad application for phone records was made under the so-called business records provision of the Act. I do not believe the broadly drafted FISA order is consistent with the requirements of the Patriot Act. Seizing phone records of millions of innocent people is excessive and un-American.”

“I’m a Verizon customer. I don’t mind Verizon turning over records to the  government if the government is going to make sure that they try to match up a  known terrorist phone with somebody in the United States. I don’t think you’re  talking to the terrorists. I know you’re not. I know I’m not. So we don’t have  anything to worry about.”