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A Policy Brief of NSA Reform

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A Policy Brief of NSA Reform
A Policy Brief of NSA Reform

Jehireh Peraza-Williams
November 24, 2014
Presented to Senator Ted Cruz

I. Introduction: Since the acknowledgment of abused power by the NSA by former NSA contractor, Edward Snowden, long debate about the constitutionality of the collection of private records of American citizens has ensued in the senate. As a result of this issue that has and can continue to transgress on the civil liberty of privacy by all persons and entities, The USA Freedom act has been created which seeks to limit and to regulate the power of US surveillance agencies to collect private information from third parties. The USA Freedom directly addresses issues that are included in the USA Patriot Act, an act that was created to combat and to create protection against the threat of terrorism, which was a fear that heightened in response to the 2001 September 11 attacks (Savage). While this bill proved necessary at the time, in the act, are provisions that overstep constitutional boundaries that go beyond the intention and framework of the original plan.
This is an issue that requires your continued participation. I am aware that this is an issue that you have become directly involved with and have worked to support the enactment of the USA Freedom Act. As a senator currently working with and recently “opposite” to Rand Paul, who has garnered much support by big tech companies in silicon valley, I believe that with the same stance, the both of you can work with the support of big tech companies to work to pass the enactment of the USA Freedom Act (Savage). While the act still currently includes controversial aspects left over from the original Patriot Act that allows for bulk surveillance practices, it is important that either the bill is passed and addressed from the inside as you have suggested along with Senator Sensenbrenner, or that new provisions are made under a new act that addresses this issue.

II. Background Information: (a) Existing


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