DOCSLIB.ORG

Congressional Record—Senate S1929

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Congressional Record—Senate S1929 March 22, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1929 claims are simply unfounded scare- contempt or obloquy, or will represent a (4)(a) The committee may poll— mongering. If this resolution is en- clearly unwarranted invasion of the privacy (i) internal committee matters including acted, it will repeal only a specific of an individual; those concerning the committee’s staff, (d) will disclose the identity of any in- records, and budget; rulemaking at the FCC that has yet to former or law enforcement agent or will dis- (ii) steps in an investigation, including be implemented. What we are talking close any information relating to the inves- issuance of subpoenas, applications for im- about here hasn’t even been imple- tigation or prosecution of a criminal offense munity orders, and requests for documents mented yet. It will not touch the FCC’s that is required to be kept secret in the in- from agencies; and underlying statutory authority. In- terests of effective law enforcement; or (iii) other committee business that the deed, the FCC will still be obligated to (e) will disclose information relating to the committee has designated for polling at a trade secrets or financial or commercial in- meeting, except that the committee may not police the privacy practices of formation pertaining specifically to a given broadband providers, as provided for in vote by poll on reporting to the Senate any person if— measure, matter, or recommendation, and the Communications Act. The new (i) an act of Congress requires the informa- may not vote by poll on closing a meeting or chairman of the FCC confirmed this tion to be kept confidential by Government hearing to the public. when he appeared before the Commerce officers and employees; or (b) To conduct a poll, the chair shall cir- (ii) the information has been obtained by Committee earlier this month. No mat- culate polling sheets to each member speci- the Government on a confidential basis, fying the matter being polled and the time ter what happens with this resolution, other than through an application by such limit for completion of the poll. If any mem- the FTC will continue to have its au- person for a specific Government financial or ber requests, the matter shall be held for a thority to police the rest of the online other benefit, and is required to be kept se- meeting rather than being polled. The chief world. cret in order to prevent undue injury to the clerk shall keep a record of polls; if the com- It is my hope that once the Senate competitive position of such person. (f) may divulge matters required to be kept mittee determines by record vote in open passes this resolution, the House will session of a majority of the members of the move quickly to take it up and send it confidential under other provisions of law or Government regulations. committee present that the polled matter is to the President for his signature be- (3) Notice of, and the agenda for, any busi- one of those enumerated in rule I(2)(a)–(e), cause, before our country can get back ness meeting or markup shall be provided to then the record of the poll shall be confiden- on the right track, we must first move each member and made available to the pub- tial. Any member may move at the com- past the damaging regulations adopted lic at least 72 hours prior to such meeting or mittee meeting following a poll for a vote on in the waning days of the Obama ad- markup. the polled decision. ministration. II. CONSIDERATION OF BUDGET RESOLUTIONS V. PROXIES I thank Senator FLAKE for his leader- (1) If the chair of the committee makes When a record vote is taken in the com- ship on this issue. Without his tireless proposed legislative text of a concurrent res- mittee on any bill, resolution, amendment, efforts, we would not be here today, olution on the budget available to all com- or any other question, a quorum being mittee members by 12:00 p.m., five days prior present, a member who is unable to attend standing ready to move decisively to- to the start of a meeting or markup to con- the meeting may vote by proxy if the absent ward a better future for the internet. sider the resolution, during that meeting or member has been informed of the matter on I urge my colleagues to support the markup: which the vote is being recorded and has af- resolution that we will vote on tomor- (a) it shall not be in order to consider a firmatively requested to be so recorded; ex- row at noon. first degree amendment unless the amend- cept that no member may vote by proxy dur- ment has been submitted to the chief clerk ing the deliberations on Budget Resolutions f by 5:00 p.m. two days prior to the start of the unless a member is experiencing a health MORNING BUSINESS meeting or markup, except that an amend- issue and the chair and ranking member ment in the nature of a substitute offered by agree to allow that member to vote by proxy the chair of the committee shall not be re- on amendments to a Budget Resolution. quired to be filed in advance, and VI. HEARINGS AND HEARING PROCEDURES COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET (b) it shall not be in order to consider a second degree amendment unless the amend- (1) The committee shall make public an- ment has been submitted to the chief clerk nouncement of the date, place, time, and RULES OF PROCEDURE by 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the start of subject matter of any hearing to be con- the meeting or markup, and ducted on any measure or matter at least 1 Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unani- (c) it shall not be in order to consider a week in advance of such hearing, unless the mous consent that the rules of the Sen- side-by-side amendment unless the amend- chair and ranking member determine that ate Committee on the Budget for the ment has been submitted to the chief clerk there is good cause to begin such hearing at 115th Congress be printed in the by 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the start of an earlier date. RECORD. the meeting or markup, and the amendment (2) At least 24 hours prior to the scheduled There being no objection, the mate- is filed in relation to a particular first de- start time of the hearing, a witness appear- ing before the committee shall file a written rial was ordered to be printed in the gree amendment that is considered by the committee. statement of proposed testimony with the RECORD, as follows: (2) During consideration of a concurrent chief clerk who is responsible for circulating RULES OF PROCEDURE resolution on the budget, it shall not be in the proposed testimony to all members at I. MEETINGS order to consider an amendment that would the same time. The requirement that a wit- ness submit testimony 24 hours prior to a (1) The committee shall hold its regular have no force or effect if adopted. hearing may be waived by the chair and the meeting on the first Thursday of each III. ORDER OF RECOGNITION ranking member, following their determina- month. Additional meetings may be called Those members who are present at the tion that there is good cause for the failure by the chair as the chair deems necessary to start of any meeting of the committee in- of compliance. expedite committee business. cluding meetings to conduct hearings, shall (2) Each meeting of the committee, includ- be recognized in order of seniority based on VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS ing meetings to conduct hearings, shall be time served as a member of the committee. (1) When the committee has ordered a open to the public, except that a portion or Any members arriving after the start of the measure or recommendation reported, fol- portions of any such meeting may be closed meeting shall be recognized, in order of ap- lowing final action, the report thereon shall to the public if the committee determines by pearance, after the most junior member. be filed in the Senate at the earliest prac- record vote in open session of a majority of IV. QUORUMS AND VOTING ticable time. the members of the committee present that (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (2) A member of the committee, who gives the matters to be discussed or the testimony (3) of this section, a quorum for the trans- notice of an intention to file supplemental, to be taken at such portion or portions— action of committee business shall consist of minority, or additional views at the time of (a) will disclose matters necessary to be not less than one-third of the membership of final committee approval of a measure or kept secret in the interests of national de- the entire committee: Provided, that proxies matter, shall be entitled to not less than 3 fense or the confidential conduct of the for- shall not be counted in making a quorum. calendar days in which to file such views, in eign relations of the United States; (2) A majority of the committee shall con- writing, with the chief clerk of the com- (b) will relate solely to matters of the com- stitute a quorum for reporting budget resolu- mittee. Such views shall then be included in mittee staff personnel or internal staff man- tions, legislative measures or recommenda- the committee report and printed in the agement or procedure; tions: Provided, that proxies shall not be same volume, as a part thereof, and their in- (c) will tend to charge an individual with counted in making a quorum.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Breadth of Congress' Authority to Access Information in Our Scheme
    H H H H H H H H H H H 5. The Breadth of Congress’s Authority to Access Information in Our Scheme of Separated Powers Overview Congress’s broad investigatory powers are constrained both by the structural limitations imposed by our constitutional system of separated and balanced powers and by the individual rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Thus, the president, subordinate officials, and individuals called as witnesses can assert various privileges, which enable them to resist or limit the scope of congressional inquiries. These privileges, however, are also limited. The Supreme Court has recognized the president’s constitutionally based privilege to protect the confidentiality of documents or other information that reflects presidential decision-making and deliberations. This presidential executive privilege, however, is qualified. Congress and other appropriate investigative entities may overcome the privilege by a sufficient showing of need and the inability to obtain the information elsewhere. Moreover, neither the Constitution nor the courts have provided a special exemption protecting the confidentiality of national security or foreign affairs information. But self-imposed congressional constraints on information access in these sensitive areas have raised serious institutional and practical concerns as to the current effectiveness of oversight of executive actions in these areas. With regard to individual rights, the Supreme Court has recognized that individuals subject to congressional inquiries are protected by the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments, though in many important respects those rights may be qualified by Congress’s constitutionally rooted investigatory authority. A. Executive Privilege Executive privilege is a doctrine that enables the president to withhold certain information from disclosure to the public or even Congress.
    [Show full text]
  • 051205 Congress Reform
    SPECIAL PRESENTATION “A PROPOSAL TO MAKE CONGRESS WORK AGAIN: A PANEL DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE RULES AND PROCEDURES OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES” MODERATOR: SCOTT LILLY, SENIOR FELLOW, CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS FEATURING: REP. DAVID OBEY, (D-WI), RANKING MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS REP. BARNEY FRANK, (D-MA), RANKING MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES REP. DAVID PRICE, (D-NC), MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS REP. TOM ALLEN, (D-ME), MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE NORM ORNSTEIN, RESIDENT SCHOLAR, AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE; COAUTHOR, BROKEN BRANCH 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2005 TRANSCRIPT PROVIDED BY DC TRANSCRIPTION & MEDIA REPURPOSING JOHN PODESTA: (In progress) – Center for American Progress. And I want to welcome you here for the presentation of “A Proposal to Make Congress Work Again.” I want to begin by welcoming our panelists. We’re joined, in addition to our senior fellow, Scott Lilly, by Congressman David Obey, Congressman Barney Frank, Congressman David Price, Congressman Tom Allen, and Norm Ornstein. I think that people on both sides of the aisle will join me in saying, in addition to these senior members and Norm, these are people who care about Congress, who care about the House, who indeed care about our democracy. And I think, as the title of this panel implies, “Making Congress Work Again” – I think it is clear that things on Capitol Hill, and I think particularly in the House of Representatives, have gotten seriously off-track. That’s why I think this package that these senior members have pulled together is so vital.
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Membership and Appointment Authority to Advisory Commissions, Boards, and Groups
    Congressional Membership and Appointment Authority to Advisory Commissions, Boards, and Groups Updated February 12, 2021 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov RL33313 Congressional Membership and Appointment Authority to Advisory Bodies Summary Over the past several decades, Congress, by statute, has established a wide array of commissions, boards, and advisory bodies to provide it with assistance in meeting various legislative, investigative, and administrative responsibilities. Some of these entities are temporary and created to serve specific functions, such as studying a discrete policy area or performing one-time tasks. Others are permanent, serving an ongoing purpose, such as overseeing an institution or performing a regular administrative function. The majority of these congressional bodies provide that Members of Congress, particularly the leadership, be intimately involved in the appointment process, either through direct service on a commission, or by appointing or recommending candidates for membership. The choice of a particular mechanism for membership appointment may have implications for the ability of these entities to fulfill their congressional mandates. Examination of the statutory language creating these bodies reveals several common approaches to membership selection. Each alternative schema has its advantages. For example, a commission or board composed entirely of Members permits a high degree of congressional control over the entity’s operations. Bodies composed mainly of qualified private citizens or executive branch appointees may provide a broader expertise than Member-only bodies. Assemblages of mixed membership provide some of the advantages of both Member and citizen-only appointment schemes. This report contains a compilation of existing commissions and boards that demonstrates the range of alternative membership-appointment structures.
    [Show full text]
  • Congress's Contempt Power: Law, History, Practice, and Procedure
    Congress’s Contempt Power and the Enforcement of Congressional Subpoenas: Law, History, Practice, and Procedure Todd Garvey Legislative Attorney May 12, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL34097 Congress’s Contempt Power and the Enforcement of Congressional Subpoenas Summary Congress’s contempt power is the means by which Congress responds to certain acts that in its view obstruct the legislative process. Contempt may be used either to coerce compliance, to punish the contemnor, and/or to remove the obstruction. Although arguably any action that directly obstructs the effort of Congress to exercise its constitutional powers may constitute a contempt, in recent times the contempt power has most often been employed in response to non- compliance with a duly issued congressional subpoena—whether in the form of a refusal to appear before a committee for purposes of providing testimony, or a refusal to produce requested documents. Congress has three formal methods by which it can combat non-compliance with a duly issued subpoena. Each of these methods invokes the authority of a separate branch of government. First, the long dormant inherent contempt power permits Congress to rely on its own constitutional authority to detain and imprison a contemnor until the individual complies with congressional demands. Second, the criminal contempt statute permits Congress to certify a contempt citation to the executive branch for the criminal prosecution of the contemnor. Finally, Congress may rely on the judicial branch to enforce a congressional subpoena. Under this procedure, Congress may seek a civil judgment from a federal court declaring that the individual in question is legally obligated to comply with the congressional subpoena.
    [Show full text]
  • The Amending Process in the House of Representatives
    The Amending Process in the House of Representatives Christopher M. Davis Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process Updated September 16, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov 98-995 The Amending Process in the House of Representatives Summary Most amendments that Representatives propose to legislation on the House floor are offered in the Committee of the Whole. Measures considered under suspension of the rules are not subject to floor amendments, and few amendments are proposed to bills and resolutions considered in the House or in the House as in Committee of the Whole. The House’s procedures recognize distinctions between first- and second-degree amendments, between perfecting and substitute amendments, and among amendments in the forms of motions to strike, to insert, and to strike out and insert. An amendment in the nature of a substitute proposes to replace the entire text of a bill or resolution. All amendments must be germane to the text they would amend, and they are subject to other general prohibitions such as that against proposing only to re-amend language that has already been fully amended. Additional restrictions apply to appropriations and tax amendments, and the budget process creates various other points of order that Members may make against certain amendments. In general, a Member must make a point of order against an amendment before debate on it begins unless that point of order is waived by a special rule. Under an open amendment process in the Committee of the Whole, measures are usually considered for amendment one section or paragraph at a time.
    [Show full text]
  • Potential House Committee Leaders in the 115Th Congress
    Potential House Committee Leaders in the 115th Congress October Edition 2 Potential House Committee Leaders in the 115th Congress • This deck outlines potential changes to House chairmen and ranking members in the 115th Congress, which convenes in January • Some changes will occur as a result of retirements and election outcomes • Term limits will also force changes on some committees – Republicans can serve three Congresses, or six years total, as chairman and ranking member – Democrats don’t impose term limits • In the following slides, you’ll see: – A breakdown of major committees that could have new leaders after Nov. 8 – The candidates for chairman and ranking member under a slimmer Republican majority – How movement on one committee could mean changes for others 3 Democrats would need a huge wave to retake the house • While Democrats are poised to gain seats, winning the 30 seats needed for a majority is unlikely. 4 Appropriations: Rogers’ term limit creates opportunity for Republicans • Republicans: Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) is term limited and will seek the top spot on the panel’s Defense Subcommittee. He’ll probably be succeeded by current Defense Subcommittee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) or Ag-FDA Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.). Frelinghuysen Lowey • Democrats: Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) will probably retain her position as ranking member. Other notes: Rogers would face off against Kay Granger • (R-Texas) for the Defense Subcommittee. Aderholt Republican Chairman Ranking Democrat Current Hal Rogers (Ky.) Nita Lowey (N.Y.) 115th Congress Rodney Frelinghuysen (N.J.) or Lowey Robert Aderholt (Ala.) Photo credits: House portraits Sources: Yarmuth Sets Sights on Succeeding Van Hollen on Budget; Buzz Builds on Becerra’s Future Plans; House Gavel Switch: Yarmuth Eyes Budget Tool for Immigration 5 Budget: Van Hollen will be replaced as ranking member • Republicans: Tom Price (R-Ga.) will probably remain as chairman.
    [Show full text]
  • Examining Blue Slip Behavior in the Senate
    Obstructing Agenda-Setting: Examining Blue Slip Behavior in the Senate Ryan C. Black, Michigan State University [email protected] Anthony J. Madonna, University of Georgia [email protected] Ryan J. Owens, University of Wisconsin [email protected] On January 26, 2011, the United States Senate adopted Senate Resolution 28, which established a standing order requiring Senators to publicize any objections to unanimous consent agreements. The Obama Administration and majority-party Democrats viewed the resolution as a victory. They accused minority-party Republicans of exploiting chamber rules to block bills and nominations that frequently enjoyed broad bipartisan support (Hulse 2011; Pierce 2011). By publicizing Senators’ objections, Democrats believed that the resolution would dissuade minority-party Senators from hiding behind Senate rules to block legislation. Of course, Republican Senators were not alone in obstruction. Senate Democratic obstruction over President George W. Bush’s judicial nominees was so rampant that then-majority-party Republicans threatened drastic changes in the chamber's rules to deal with it (Binder et al. 2007; Koger 2008; Wawro and Schickler 2006). Obstruction, in short, is pervasive in the modern Senate, with Senators in both parties engaging in it. Obstruction in the Senate can have considerable consequences. Congressional scholar Norm Ornstein noted that in May of 2009, “only 151 of the 1,100-plus Senate-confirmable positions had in fact been confirmed by the Senate” (Ornstein 2009), leading to severe problems with the functioning of government. In 2010, President Obama complained that “a staggering 63 nominees had been stalled in the Senate because one or more Senators placed a hold on their nomination” (Phillips 2010).
    [Show full text]
  • 113Th Congress of the United States of America
    113th Congress of the United States of America It’s Time To Act A Comprehensive Plan That Reduces Gun Violence and Respects the 2nd Amendment Rights of Law-Abiding Americans Gun Violence Prevention Task Force February 7, 2013 Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05), Chair IT’S TIME TO ACT: A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT REDUCES GUN VIOLENCE AND RESPECTS THE 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF LAW-ABIDING AMERICANS Executive Summary On January 16, 2013, President Obama signed a series of executive actions that will have a meaningful impact on reducing gun violence. However, reducing gun violence cannot be the job of only one branch of government. The policies that will have the greatest impact require congressional action. It’s time for Congress to act. For nearly two months, the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, under the leadership of Chairman Mike Thompson, has met with people on both sides of the aisle and all sides of the issue to develop a comprehensive set of policy principles that respect the 2nd Amendment and will make our schools, neighborhoods, and communities safer. The task force met with and solicited input from victims of gun violence and gun safety advocates; gun owners, hunters, and outdoor sportsmen; federal, state, and local law enforcement; educators and community workers; mental health experts and physicians; representatives of the motion picture, television, music, and video game industries; leaders in our faith communities; and representatives of gun manufacturers and retailers, as well as cabinet secretaries and the Vice President of the United States. The task force also met with Members of Congress from all sides of the issue, and held hearings in Washington, DC to consider ways to address this issue.
    [Show full text]
  • Partisan Conflict and Congressional Outreach
    NUMBERS, FACTS AND TRENDS SHAPING THE WORLD Partisan Conflict and Congressional Outreach Partisan criticism generates most engagement in social media; most liberal and conservative legislators, party leadership more likely to ‘go negative’ FOR MEDIA OR OTHER INQUIRIES: Solomon Messing, Director of Data Labs Rachel Weisel, Communications Manager 202.419.4372 www.pewresearch.org RECOMMENDED CITATION: Pew Research Center, February 2017, “Partisan Conflict and Congressional Outreach.” www.pewresearch.org 2 About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does not take policy positions. The Center conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. It studies U.S. politics and policy; journalism and media; internet, science and technology; religion and public life; Hispanic trends; global attitudes and trends; and U.S. social and demographic trends. All of the Center’s reports are available at www.pewresearch.org. Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder. © Pew Research Center 2017 www.pewresearch.org 3 Table of Contents About Pew Research Center 2 Methodological note 4 Terminology 5 Overview 7 1. Who is going negative? Leadership and very liberal or conservative members most critical of other side 14 2. How the public reacted on Facebook 29 3. Partisan language in congressional outreach 32 Acknowledgments 39 Methodology 40 Data collection 40 Content analysis 50 www.pewresearch.org 4 Methodological note This report describes key findings from an analysis of all official press releases and Facebook posts identifiable via internet and archival sources, issued by members of the 114th Congress between Jan.
    [Show full text]
  • GUIDE to the 117Th CONGRESS
    GUIDE TO THE 117th CONGRESS Table of Contents Health Professionals Serving in the 117th Congress ................................................................ 2 Congressional Schedule ......................................................................................................... 3 Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 2021 Federal Holidays ............................................. 4 Senate Balance of Power ....................................................................................................... 5 Senate Leadership ................................................................................................................. 6 Senate Committee Leadership ............................................................................................... 7 Senate Health-Related Committee Rosters ............................................................................. 8 House Balance of Power ...................................................................................................... 11 House Committee Leadership .............................................................................................. 12 House Leadership ................................................................................................................ 13 House Health-Related Committee Rosters ............................................................................ 14 Caucus Leadership and Membership .................................................................................... 18 New Members of the 117th
    [Show full text]
  • The History of the Blue Slip in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 1917-Present
    Order Code RL32013 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web The History of the Blue Slip in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 1917-Present Updated October 22, 2003 Mitchel A. Sollenberger Analyst in American National Government Government and Finance Division Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress The History of the Blue Slip in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 1917-Present Summary The blue-slip process had its genesis in the Senate tradition of senatorial courtesy. Under this informal custom, the Senate would refuse to confirm a nomination unless the nominee had been approved by the home-state Senators of the President’s party. The Senate Committee on the Judiciary created the blue slip (so called because of its color) out of this practice in the early 1900s. Initially, the blue slip permitted Senators, regardless of party affiliation, to voice their opinion on a President’s nomination to a district court in their state or to a circuit court judgeship traditionally appointed from their home state. Over the years, the blue slip has evolved into a tool used by Senators to delay, and often times prevent, the confirmation of nominees they find objectionable. The following six periods highlight the major changes that various chairmen of the Judiciary Committee undertook in their blue-slip policy: ! From 1917 through 1955: The blue-slip policy allowed home-state Senators to state their objections but committee action to move forward on a nomination. If a Senator objected to his/her home-state nominee, the committee would report the nominee adversely to the Senate, where the contesting Senator would have the option of stating his/her objections to the nominee before the Senate would vote on confirmation.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 September 24, 2018 the Honorable Ron Johnson Chairman Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirks
    September 24, 2018 The Honorable Ron Johnson Chairman Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Claire McCaskill Ranking Member Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Re: Oppose H.R. 6439, the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) Authorization Act of 2018 Dear Chairman Johnson, Ranking Member McCaskill and Members of the Committee, On behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, National Immigration Law Center and the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, we write to urge you to oppose H.R. 6439, legislation that would permanently authorize the biometric pilot program known as “BITMAP” within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This bill is scheduled for markup on September 26, 2018. We urge you to oppose H.R. 6439. This bill was opposed by a bipartisan group of 119 members of the House, including Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee Bennie Thompson and Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee Jerrold Nadler. In his dissenting views on the bill, Ranking Member Thompson emphasized that DHS had yet to provide Congress with information demonstrating BITMAP’s effectiveness or details regarding how sensitive information collected can be used and disseminated.1 He also noted permanent authorization is not needed to continue the program.2 The House Liberty Caucus similarly opposed the bill, noting that “Congress cannot blindly codify the government’s data collection programs without putting our citizens’ privacy at risk, yet this bill permanently authorizes another such program, without providing clear rules on what data can be collected, from whom data can be collected, and how the data may be used, retained, or shared.” 3 1 H.R.
    [Show full text]