The Patriot Post® · Senate GOP Blocks NSA Reform

The USA Freedom Act died in the Senate for the wrong reasons. Yesterday, the bill to reform the National Security Agency stalled by two votes, with Democrats and “independents” voting for the bill, and the small-government Republicans voting against NSA reform because the only way to keep America safe from terrorism is to keep those spy organizations large and strong. Sen. Mitch McConnell said the NSA phone surveillance program is necessary to fight terrorism. “This is the worst possible time to be tying our hands behind our backs,” he said. Ben Franklin also had something to say about people who give up Liberty for the sake of security. Granted, the bill was watered down compared to the original NSA reform bill, according to journalists who cover national security (see here, and here.) Republican senators should have followed Rand Paul in why they opposed the bill – because it didn’t do enough rein in a large and overbearing government. While the Pew Research Internet Project says 80% of Americans are concerned about the government’s eavesdropping on conversations, the Senate is too feckless to fight for the Liberty of Americas citizens. More…