Frustrated that inaction by the U.S. Senate allowed several provisions related to intelligence-gathering methodology to expire, U.S. Rep. Todd Young (R-IN) recently released a statement that explains his concerns.
“At midnight, several intelligence-gathering provisions that have been crucial to preventing another 9/11-type attack expired,” Young, a former intelligence officer in the Marine Corps, said. “Though couched in the language of protecting civil liberties, they expired because some senators would rather recklessly seek political gain than to act responsibly to keep our country safe. The fact of the matter is the bill passed overwhelmingly by the House weeks ago addresses the civil liberties concerns — concerns I share — in a manner that still allows for the collection of vital intelligence.”
Young then urged the Senate to quickly pass the USA Freedom Act, legislation that would reactivate the provisions at issue, as well as several other measures, to protect the long-term security of Americans.
“Ironically, it is always in the moments immediately following a national security event that the civil liberties of the American people are most at risk,” Young said. “Should the unthinkable happen during this lapse in authorization, I suspect we’ll find the supposed choice between security or liberty to be a false dichotomy. The House-passed USA Freedom Act is proof that such interests can be balanced, and I urge responsible legislators to quickly work to pass it through the Senate.”