abevoelker/A message from Senator Tammy Baldwin.txt

## A message from Senator Tammy Baldwin.txt
Thank you for contacting me about the disclosure of the National
Security Agency's (NSA) intelligence gathering programs. It is good to
hear from you on this critical issue.

On June 6, 2013, news outlets reported on a large leak of classified
information by a contractor named Edward Snowden. In the following days
and weeks, more revelations have come to light, including troubling
surveillance practices by the NSA. I believe we now have an important
opportunity for a renewed debate around intelligence gathering
activities and their relationship to Americans' civil liberties,
privacy, and constitutional rights.


Since 2001, a number of bills establishing, reforming and extending the
USA PATRIOT Act and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)
have been signed into law by both Presidents Bush and Obama. I was
strongly opposed to both of these bills and voted against them. We now
know that concerns with the overly-broad language of these bills were
justified. Indeed, as I feared, these laws have facilitated government
infringement on Americans' Fourth Amendment rights. These laws also
have insulated the government from accountability for these
questionable surveillance programs.While it is important that our law
enforcement officials have appropriate tools to protect Americans from
terrorist acts, it is equally critical that we ensure our laws never
compromise the exercise of our constitutional civil liberties.The
protections enshrined in the Bill of Rights cannot be waived by the
President and are not statutorily amendable by Congress. Those rights
belong to the people-they are, in part, what it means to be an American.


I remain opposed to programs that conduct unconstitutional surveillance
on Americans. Please know that I will keep your thoughts in mind as I
continue to defend our fundamental civil liberties and constitutional
rights.

Once again, thank you for contacting my office. It is important for me
to hear from the people of Wisconsin on the issues, thoughts and
concerns that matter most to you. If I can be of further assistance,
please visit my website at www.baldwin.senate.gov for information on
how to contact my office.

Sincerely,
Tammy Baldwin
United States Senator
	Thank you for contacting me about the disclosure of the National
	Security Agency's (NSA) intelligence gathering programs. It is good to
	hear from you on this critical issue.

	On June 6, 2013, news outlets reported on a large leak of classified
	information by a contractor named Edward Snowden. In the following days
	and weeks, more revelations have come to light, including troubling
	surveillance practices by the NSA. I believe we now have an important
	opportunity for a renewed debate around intelligence gathering
	activities and their relationship to Americans' civil liberties,
	privacy, and constitutional rights.


	Since 2001, a number of bills establishing, reforming and extending the
	USA PATRIOT Act and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)
	have been signed into law by both Presidents Bush and Obama. I was
	strongly opposed to both of these bills and voted against them. We now
	know that concerns with the overly-broad language of these bills were
	justified. Indeed, as I feared, these laws have facilitated government
	infringement on Americans' Fourth Amendment rights. These laws also
	have insulated the government from accountability for these
	questionable surveillance programs.While it is important that our law
	enforcement officials have appropriate tools to protect Americans from
	terrorist acts, it is equally critical that we ensure our laws never
	compromise the exercise of our constitutional civil liberties.The
	protections enshrined in the Bill of Rights cannot be waived by the
	President and are not statutorily amendable by Congress. Those rights
	belong to the people-they are, in part, what it means to be an American.



	I remain opposed to programs that conduct unconstitutional surveillance
	on Americans. Please know that I will keep your thoughts in mind as I
	continue to defend our fundamental civil liberties and constitutional
	rights.

	Once again, thank you for contacting my office. It is important for me
	to hear from the people of Wisconsin on the issues, thoughts and
	concerns that matter most to you. If I can be of further assistance,
	please visit my website at www.baldwin.senate.gov for information on
	how to contact my office.

	Sincerely,
	Tammy Baldwin
	United States Senator