West Houston News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) has expressed his dissenting vote against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the Fiscal Year 2024. In a statement, Congressman Nehls emphasized his concerns about the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) without any reforms.

"Today, I voted NO on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the Fiscal Year 2024," said Congressman Nehls. "This legislation reauthorizes Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), with no reforms. Section 702 was intended to allow the federal government to conduct targeted surveillance of foreign nationals outside of the United States, and instead, it has been abused by the FBI to spy on innocent American citizens."

Congressman Nehls further highlighted the importance of safeguarding the Fourth Amendment rights of American citizens, stating, "We cannot continue to allow federal agencies to abuse the Fourth Amendment rights of the American people."

Section 702 of FISA was initially designed to enable the federal government to conduct surveillance on foreign individuals located outside of the United States. However, concerns have arisen regarding its misuse by the FBI to carry out unwarranted surveillance on innocent American citizens. Congressman Nehls' opposition to the NDAA stems from his belief that the reauthorization of Section 702 without any reforms would perpetuate these abuses and compromise the privacy and constitutional rights of American citizens.

As the debate surrounding the NDAA continues, Congressman Nehls' stance serves as a reminder of the importance of striking a balance between national security and individual privacy rights. The need to address potential abuses and enhance accountability within federal agencies remains a crucial aspect of any legislation concerning surveillance and intelligence gathering.

The NDAA's fate will be determined as it progresses through the legislative process, with further discussions and potential amendments expected to shape the final version of the bill. Congressman Nehls' opposition to the NDAA reflects the ongoing dialogue surrounding the scope and limitations of surveillance powers, underscoring the significance of protecting the civil liberties of American citizens.

The concerns raised by Congressman Nehls regarding the reauthorization of Section 702 highlight the need for thoughtful scrutiny and reforms to prevent the abuse of surveillance powers. As the legislative process unfolds, the voices of lawmakers like Congressman Nehls contribute to the wider debate on striking the appropriate balance between national security and civil liberties.

Click this link to access more information: https://nehls.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-troy-e-nehls-statement-after-voting-against-ndaa-0