Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) recently said the time has come for a complete overhaul of the National Security Agency’s programs.
Reed said the best vehicle to put reforms in place is the intelligence reauthorization bill that will come up for debate this fall.
“Programs must be fully transparent, fully accountable, and protect civil liberties,” Reed said. “We need reforms now that rightfully protect due process and give individuals the ability to challenge the surveillance programs they may be subject to. The NSA needs to be reined in and reformed.”
Reed said that he is focused on the intelligence reauthorization bill instead of the appropriations bill – which the House has already considered – because any changes in appropriation would have left controversial programs completely intact. Reed said he has also listened to people concerned the NSA is reaching beyond its established authority.
“The intelligence reauthorization will allow us to take effective action and have a real impact on transparency in the NSA,” Reed said. “People are very concerned, and rightly so, about government overreach and the potential for abuse of power, especially in light of recent abuse in the IRS. They don’t trust that the NSA will protect their civil liberties.”
Reed is working on the project with the House Intelligence Committee and other House members, including Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.).