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WASHINGTON. DC 20510

December 15, 2017

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Senate Majority Leader

U.S. Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Majority Leader McConnell:

We, the undersigned Senators, write regarding legislation reauthorizing Section 702 of the
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (PISA) Amendments Act. According to recent press
reports, the reauthorization of Section 7?02 may be included in a package with other legislative
priorities?without an open amendment process or floor debate?shortly before Section 702
expires on December 31. We strongly urge you to follovvr a different course, and to take up
Section 702 reauthorization through regular order. If doing so before the expiration date is not
feasible, we ask that reauthorization be limited to a matter of months to allow time for proper
debate on the issue in the early part of 2018.

Transparency is critical to maintaining the trust of the American people in our foreign
intelligence authorities, especially those that involve sensitive privacy and civil liberties concerns
for Americans. The regular legislative process is an essential component of that transparency,
demonstrating to the American people that Congress has made a reasoned judgment about the
propriety and effectiveness of the federal government?s intelligence capabilities.

Legislation that reauthorizes Section 702 deserves the full and open deliberative process of this
body. All Senators, regardless of committee assignment, should have the ability to offer
amendments and debate. There are clear differences of opinion on the scope of the Section 702
authority and possible reform measures. Those differences are a healthy re?ection of the Senate
at work, and the American people deserve to hear them fully articulated and considered.

Section 702 is an important national security tool, and, with appropriate protections for privacy
and civil liberties, Congress should reauthorize it. However, reauthorization of Section 702 must
be done the right way, and time is running out. We urge you to bring reauthorization legislation
to the Senate floor as soon as possible, and to grant suf?cient time for full and open debate and
amendment.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

 

Kalnala D. Harris
United States Senator

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Patrick Leahy
United States Senator


Ric ard J. Dur in

United States Senator

 

 

Martin Heinrich
United States Senator

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enjamin L. Cardin

United States Senator

 

cc: Minority Leader Schumer

 

ted States Senator

Daines
United States Senator



Cory Garcl?er
United States Senator

 

    

    
   
    

Ron yden
United States Senator

ted States Senator