Blumenthal Statement On NSA Use Of Loophole In Surveillance Law To Spy On Americans

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement in response to the recent revelation that the National Security Agency has been using a loophole or “back door” in surveillance law to conduct warrantless searches of Americans’ telephone calls and electronic communications:

“Loopholes in the law allowing warrantless, backdoor searches of Americans’ calls and communications are an outrage that cannot be tolerated. This disclosure is further evidence that the intelligence community will spy on Americans if it believes it has the legal authority to do so, and therefore it must be reined in by stronger protections and oversight. I’ve helped lead legislation that would prevent this problem by imposing limitations on data use and bringing transparency to the FISA Courts; however, many of the needed reforms could be made today through executive order. I urge immediate action by the President and Congress. Americans deserve to know their communications are private, and that our intelligence community is not exploiting loopholes in violation of the spirit of the law.”