07/26/13 As part of the House-passed Department of Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 2397), Congresswoman Jackie Walorski supported an amendment offered by Congressman Richard Nugent to stand up for the privacy rights of American citizens in light of recent revelations regarding NSA surveillance.
“American citizens must be protected from overreaching government infringement,” said Walorski. “While I firmly believe in maintaining a strong national security to keep our nation safe, it is unacceptable for government agencies to overstep their bounds and encroach on the privacy rights of American citizens.”
The Nugent amendment prohibits funds from being used by the NSA to target a United States person or acquire and save contents of their communications, including emails and telephone calls.
This measure specifically includes “any electronic communication” as a protected communication from federal surveillance. The Nugent amendment passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, with a vote of 409-12.
