Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has introduced critical amendments to address unconstitutional provisions in H.R. 7888, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA), and other governmental spying practices. Initially, RISAA was presented as a significant reform and reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). However, it has been criticized for expanding government overreach by granting agencies extraordinary authority to force private entities into disclosing sensitive communication data and undermining vital oversight mechanisms.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on Dr. Paul’s amendments tonight. "We cannot continue sacrificing our freedoms in the name of security. Rather than reining in FISA overreach, RISAA expands it dramatically," said Dr. Paul. "I urge my colleagues to support meaningful reforms that protect both national security and civil liberties."

Dr. Paul's proposed amendments represent an effort to balance national security with individual privacy rights, aiming to modernize surveillance laws and uphold fundamental liberties in the digital age.

One amendment, SA 1828, seeks to impose strict limitations on surveillance activities under FISA concerning Americans while ensuring national security within the legal system. Key provisions include limiting surveillance, queries, and use of information acquired or derived from surveillance activities against Americans in legal proceedings except in specific cases outlined in the amendment.

Another amendment, SA 1829 - The Fourth Amendment is Not For Sale Act, aims to enhance privacy protections, regulate government entities' data access, and establish clear guidelines for lawful data acquisition and use. Key provisions include protection of records held by data brokers, required disclosure limits on the government's ability to require disclosure of customer or subscriber records without a court order, and introducing a definition for "intermediary service provider" while prohibiting these providers from disclosing certain types of information without proper authorization.