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To: Congress
Don't use the coronavirus as an excuse to reauthorize the Patriot Act!
Congress should not use the coronavirus crisis as a sneaky way to reauthorize a key provision of the Patriot Act, Section 215, that enabled the government to conduct mass spying on the American people. Pass a clean coronavirus funding bill -- and shut down Section 215 for good.
Why is this important?
The spread of the coronavirus is a major national and global public health crisis. It should be a moment where our government works quickly and effectively to stop a pandemic. Instead, as the Intercept reported, Congressional leaders are considering adding an extremely controversial provision reauthorizing mass spying on the American people to a must-pass coronavirus spending bill.
Key portions of the Patriot Act are due to expire on March 15. This includes Section 215, the notorious provision that enabled our government to conduct mass surveillance on the American people. Members of both parties in Congress have tried to prevent Section 215 from being reauthorized, so we can shut down this abusive spying for good. But Congressional leaders are strongly considering adding a reauthorization of Section 215 to the coronavirus spending bill, forcing members of Congress to choose between public health and our constitutional rights.
We need to mobilize NOW and tell Congress this is an unacceptable, shady, and offensive idea. Congress needs to pass a clean coronavirus funding bill. And they need to shut down Section 215 for good.