WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) released the following statement after President Obama announced steps the administration would take to reform the federal government’s surveillance programs, including overhauling Section 215 of the Patriot Act, which governs data collection, reforming the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, including the appointment of a Special Advocate, and providing more details to the American people about the NSA’s data collection programs.
“I am encouraged by the president’s announcement today of the steps he intends to take in the coming days to fix our government’s data collection processes, protect the privacy of our citizens, and restore the American people’s trust. Over the past few weeks, I have heard from hundreds of my constituents who share my concerns about NSA’s domestic collection programs, and I am pleased that the administration plans to make correcting this infringement on my constituents’ intrinsic right to privacy a priority.
“As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I look forward to working with the administration and with my colleagues on the committee to strike the proper balance between our national security and our civil liberties. I am confident that, working together, we can ensure these programs can work to protect the American people while only taking and keeping the information that is absolutely necessary.”