Randy Neugebauer's Continued NSA Data Collection Concerns

Last month, I wrote to you about data collection by the National Security Agency (NSA). I explained then that I believed that the program should be continued. I based that decision on the information available to me about the program’s privacy protections and its success at stopping terrorist attacks. Since then, we’ve learned that the NSA has overstepped its legal authority and violated the privacy of American citizens. While some of these incidents were computer errors, the sheer number of violations indicates a serious lack of oversight at best, and a disregard for the law at worst.

I know many of you have apprehensions about this data collection, and I pledged to you that I would carefully monitor this program with your concerns in mind. To this end, I’ve requested a formal briefing on the NSA data collection and surveillance program from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. In my request, I explained that we deserve a thoughtful and considered decision about this policy, and in order to make that, I need a full accounting of this program.

I’ve put the letter up on my website so you can read my request for information. I promise you that whether or not this issue is making headlines, I’ll continue working on your behalf to keep our country safe and to protect our Constitutional rights.