The RNC has passed a resolution to restrict the National Security Agency’s data-mining dragnet. During the winter meeting of the RNC last week, the committee approved a measure that would form a special committee to “to investigate, report, and reveal to the public the extent of this domestic spying” and to develop recommendations to end “unconstitutional surveillance” and hold officials responsible for the snooping “accountable.”
“The Republican National Committee encourages Republican lawmakers to enact legislation to amend Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act, the state-secrets privilege, and the FISA Amendments Act to make it clear that blanket surveillance of the Internet activity, phone records, and correspondence–electronic, physical, and otherwise–of any person residing in the U.S. is prohibited by law and that violations can be reviewed in adversarial proceedings before a public court.”
The Hill reports that the “committee criticized the government’s bulk collection of records about all phone calls, which emerged as one of the most controversial programs revealed in leaks by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.”
The resolution is a smart move by the RNC and a nod to libertarian minded-lawmakers like Rand Paul (R-KY) and PATRIOT ACT author James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), who have come out in favoring restrictions to the NSA’s programs.
Rep. Peter King (R-NY) was not excited about the resolution, calling it “hysterical” and a “death warrant for the GOP.” He went on to say “We’re going to make the Democrats and Barack Obama the party of national security. It’s signing our own death warrant as a party.”
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