SUNSET THE ANTI-PRIVACY PATRIOT ACT PROVISIONS
ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
Wyden: I want to thank Sen. Wyden for opposing sweeping government surveillance of individuals from the very first draft of the Patriot Act. But Congress has extended section 215 that permit intrusive surveillance until March 15, 2020. I ask you to again lead the charge, and make sure that Section 215 and related provisions do finally sunset. Thank you. PS: And keep working on impeaching and removing this President.
Merkley: I was alarmed to learn that as part of the continuing resolution, Congress passed a three-month extension of Section 215 of the Patriot Act and related provisions that permit intrusive surveillance of individuals. I urge you to make sure that Section 215 and related provisions are not renewed again. Thank you. PS: And keep working on impeaching and removing this President.
CALL SENATOR MERKLEY
CALL SENATOR WYDEN
ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR HOUSE REP
Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Find out here.
SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES:
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
For all Representatives: I was alarmed to learn that Congress passed a three-month extension of Section 215 of the Patriot Act and related provisions that permit intrusive surveillance of individuals as part of the continuing resolution. I urge you to make sure that Section 215 is not renewed again. Thank you. PS: And keep working on impeaching and removing this President.
CALL SUZANNE BONAMICI (OR-01)
CALL GREG WALDEN (OR-02)
CALL BLUMENAUER (OR-03)
CALL PETER DEFAZIO (OR-04)
CALL KURT SCHRADER (OR-05)
BACKGROUND:
In a last-minute maneuver, House Democratic leadership tucked an extension of the Patriot Act’s broad surveillance powers into the continuing resolution. These provisions, most importantly the Act’s Section 215, would have expired on Dec. 15, but now continue through March 15, 2020.
Both House Progressive Caucus co-chairs and all 11 vice chairs supported the extension. Caucus Co-Chair Jayapal argued time was needed to craft legislative reforms. But Congress already has had four years. And reform is unlikely without a new Senate and pressure from the grass roots.
Our own Senator Wyden has led the fight to limit the Patriot Act. He needs our support. We need to tell Congress pass these reforms:
- No surveillance without a court order.
- The standard of proof must be probable cause, not just relevance to an investigation.
- No more mass sweeps of business records, mental health records, DNA information, tax returns, books, videos, call records, financial data and more.
- No surveillance based on First Amendment activities.
- No surveillance targeting by race, religion or other protected classes.
- An individual must be told if collected information is used in a legal action.
Call your MoCs; our individual liberties are at stake.