I'm glad that the Republican memo has been released. It makes many conclusory assertions, some of which are serious.
Throughout this process, members of the @libertycaucus and @freedomcaucus have called for the public release of evidence supporting the memo's allegations. We also have called for the release of the Democratic memo (which I have read).
Given the current rhetoric from @SpeakerRyan and others, it represents a breach of the public trust that, just a few weeks ago, he and many of the memo's biggest pushers were demanding the reauthorization of #FISA702, opposed by a bipartisan coalition of liberty defenders.
Unlike #FISA702, which authorizes systematic violations of the #4thAmendment, the section of FISA discussed in the memo requires probable cause and a warrant.
The central allegation is that a warrant was obtained fraudulently or without sufficient cause. If true, it shows the dangers of the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, something @libertycaucus and @freedomcaucus members have been saying for a long time.
But #FISA702 is far more dangerous. It permits the FBI and other agencies to conduct unconstitutional, warrantless searches on millions of innocent Americans (whose communications were incidentally collected while targeting foreigners overseas).
If the speaker and others believe abuses are occurring in the execution of one section of FISA, then why would they insist on reauthorizing another section of FISA (702) that has far greater potential for abuse?
Congress now has an obligation to re-examine #FISA702 and pass reform legislation like the #USARIGHTSAct to protect the rights of the people we represent.
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