In August, Congress quickly passed legislation that gave yet more power to the Executive Branch. The Protect America Act is a warrantless eavesdropping bill that expands the power of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). It was passed just before summer recess: by the Senate on August 3 (Roll Call 309), and by the House on August 4 (Roll Call 836). George Bush then signed the bill into law on Sunday, August 5.
The Protect America Act gives the federal government the authority to monitor American citizens' phone conversations and e-mails, providing they are corresponding with persons "reasonably believed to be located outside the United States." This bill, which was drafted mostly by the White House, was created in response to the 2005 scandal where President Bush was ridiculed for authorizing the National Security Agency to conduct a secret wiretapping program targeted at persons within the United States. A federal court ruling found that program to be what most people already believed it to be: unconstitutional.
The Fourth Amendment to the Constitutionstates: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Unconstitutional laws, such as the Protect America Act, are a direct attack on the Constitution and your liberty.
The Protect American Act is set to expire in 6 months due to a sunset provision that was attached to the final version of S. 1927. Congress will then have the opportunity to renew or reject the law.
In a statement made on September 19, President Bush called on Congress to make Protect America Act permanent.
Complete the petition below to urge your members of Congress to do their job and support the Constitution by opposing the renewal of the Protect America Act.
