Grayson Introduces ‘Big Brother Is Not Watching You Act’ to Rein in NSA
Bill Directs President to Implement NSA Review Group’s Recommendations to Curb Surveillance
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Alan Grayson (FL-09) introduced legislation today that directs the President to implement the recommendations proposed by his own Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies. Grayson’s one-page bill is titled the ‘Big Brother Is Not Watching You Act’ (H.R. 3883).
The Review Group made more than forty recommendations to protect the privacy and civil liberties of Americans following reports of pervasive domestic surveillance conducted by NSA that surfaced in 2013. While media reportsindicate that the President may implement only some of the proposals, Grayson’s bill directs him to implement all of the recommendations.
“The recommendations contained in this report are essential to our privacy and our liberty,” Grayson said.“I’d like to see them implemented immediately, and that’s precisely what my bill will do. The Review Board’s proposals are a coherent and comprehensive plan to help eliminate ubiquitous and unnecessary domestic surveillance by the government, and should be treated as such. They shouldn’t be implemented in a piecemeal fashion. The President established and hand-picked this expert review group to evaluate the events that have taken place, and propose corrective actions that balance our security and our liberty. The President asked for the advice of these experts, and he should take it. We don’t have to compromise on our freedom to remain safe.”
Grayson has been critical of NSA’s spying activities, saying in a Floor speech last year, “In fact, one could well say that we are reaching the point where Uncle Sam is Big Brother.”
Congressman Alan Grayson represents Florida’s 9th Congressional District, which includes Osceola County, as well as parts of Orange and Polk counties. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 8th Congressional District in the 111th Congress.
