Ft Wayne Times

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) took a stand against the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), citing concerns over the protection of Americans' constitutional rights.

In a statement released after voting against H.R. 7888, Rep. Baird emphasized the importance of privacy rights, stating, "The American people have an absolute right to privacy for their personal property and data unless a court finds evidence indicating they committed a crime."

Expressing disappointment in the lack of substantial reforms in the final version of the FISA bill, Rep. Baird criticized the legislation for enabling the intelligence community to continue spying on American citizens without proper oversight. He highlighted the absence of provisions requiring warrants for investigating American citizens, a standard practice in law enforcement when accessing private data.

Furthermore, Rep. Baird pointed out the disparity in FISA privacy protections, noting that while certain safeguards were in place for members of Congress, they were not extended to all Americans. He condemned this discrepancy as unethical and reiterated his stance against legislation that permits the violation of constitutional rights and data collection without individuals' knowledge.

Rep. Baird's vote against the FISA reauthorization underscores his commitment to upholding the privacy and constitutional rights of American citizens, advocating for greater transparency and accountability in intelligence practices.