Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 7888, the bill that would reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). 

“The American people have an absolute right to privacy for their personal property and data unless a court finds evidence indicating they committed a crime,” said Rep. Baird. “Unfortunately, FISA has become the primary tool by which the intelligence community tramples our constitutional rights and spies on American citizens. I was hopeful that Congress could rally around a crucial amendment to this legislation that would require intelligence officers to obtain a warrant before investigating American citizens. This is the standard practice for law enforcement when searching for an American’s private data.”

“The final version of the FISA bill failed to provide any meaningful reform and authorized the federal government to continue spying on American citizens. Moreover, it includes certain FISA privacy protections for members of Congress that are not extended to all Americans. This is completely unethical. I cannot support legislation that allows the intelligence community to continue violating the constitutional rights of American citizens and collect their data without their knowledge.”