Generation Opportunity: Let Section 215 Expire

Washington, DC – (5/20/15) – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said yesterday that the Senate will vote this week to extend Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act, which has been used by the National Security Agency (NSA) and other intelligence agencies to justify the bulk collection of domestic phone records. Earlier this month, a federal appeals court ruled that Section 215 cannot be legitimately interpreted to allow for such activity.

Luke Kenworthy, Director of Policy Engagement at Generation Opportunity, released the following statement:

“The Senate should let Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act expire. Section 215 exemplifies the unacceptable trend of mass surveillance that threatens all of our freedoms.

“It makes sense that there is broad bipartisan support for allowing Section 215 to expire. It has been widely misinterpreted to give the government far more power than was originally intended.

“Privacy matters – it’s essential for free speech, commerce, and for holding our leaders accountable. Digital privacy is especially important to young Americans, as we use our phones, computers, and digital devices more than any other generation.

“Our generation says: let Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act expire. It’s only the first step, but it’s necessary for Congress to prove to us that our elected officials are ready to defend our fundamental right to privacy.”