Senator Bob Corker voted against the USA Freedom Act, which passed the Senate by a vote of 67 to 32. Senator Lamar Alexander supported it.
Senator Corker said, “One of the most fundamental functions of our government is to protect and defend its citizens. This bill falls short of that by making our counter-terrorism tools less effective and limiting our ability to keep Americans safe from terrorist attacks, and that is not something I am able to support.
"Congress and the administration now must work with the private sector to fill the gaps in our intelligence capabilities to better defend the nation from terrorist acts while still respecting our civil liberties.”
Senator Alexander said, "The bulk-data collection provisions of this legislation are weak and inadequate, but other provisions of the bill continue important PATRIOT Act tools that protect Americans, especially during this time of increased threats from terrorists.”
Senator Alexander voted for several amendments – which the Senate rejected – that he said would have improved the House-passed USA FREEDOM Act.
The amendments would have:
- Extended the transition period for a new telecommunications carrier-held data system – which would replace the previous bulk-data collection system – from six months to one year.
- Required telecommunications carriers to notify the federal government if they plan to store phone data records for fewer than 18 months.
- Asked the director of National Intelligence to review the new telecommunications carrier-held data system and certify that it will operate effectively before it is enacted.
- Required one or more individuals to be appointed as “amicus curiae” whenever the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Court is considering a request by the federal government so that they may provide expertise on privacy and civil liberties issues.