Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On the President’s Proposed Reforms To The Bulk Records Collection Program

[Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Tuesday responded to President Obama’s announcement that he will work with Congress to pass legislation to end the bulk surveillance of Americans’ phone records. Leahy is the lead Democratic coauthor of the bipartisan USA FREEDOM Act and has presided over five public hearings since last year on the government’s surveillance programs.]

“I welcome the President’s statement that he plans to end the bulk collection of American’s phone records. That is a key element of what I and others have outlined in the USA FREEDOM Act, and that is what the American people have been demanding.

“I look forward to having meaningful consultation with the administration on these matters and reviewing its proposal to evaluate whether it sufficiently protects Americans’ privacy. In the meantime, the President could end bulk collection once and for all on Friday by not seeking reauthorization of this program. Rather than postponing action any longer, I hope he chooses this path.”

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