GAP Statement on USA Freedom Act Cloture Vote

Today, the Government Accountability Project (GAP) expressed disappointment in last night's Senate vote not to consider the USA Freedom Act. The bill was a modest step toward reforming the bulk telephony metadata collection program - just one of the National Security Agency's (NSA) mass surveillance programs.

GAP National Security & Human Rights Director Jesselyn Radack stated:

"The Senate's inability to pass even one moderate reform a year and a half after GAP client Edward Snowden's whistleblowing revelations about the NSA's illegal warrantless surveillance programs shows a shameful dereliction of duty by our elected representatives. A generation ago, revelations of the government's domestic surveillance programs prompted Congress into action, leading to the passage of sweeping surveillance reform. Yesterday's disappointing Senate vote does a disservice to the brave work done by journalists and whistleblowers in exposing the NSA's illegal activities."