The Vote is in: Relying on Congress to Stop Federal Surveillance is Dangerous

Can states legally – and successfully – shut off water to a federal agency, like we’ve been proposing to do with NSA spying? For years, lawyers at organizations like Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and ACLU have told us in no uncertain terms that there’s no way they’d get on board with our effort to nullify NSA by turning off resources to the agency.…

Continue ReadingThe Vote is in: Relying on Congress to Stop Federal Surveillance is Dangerous

Michigan House Passes Bill to Ban “Material Support or Resources” for Warrantless Federal Surveillance

“If the federal government continues its mass warrantless surveillance programs, it should get no help carrying them out from the State of Michigan,” Howrylak said. “My bill will certify that the State of Michigan will not assist the federal government in any data collection unless it is 100 percent consistent with the U.S. Constitution.”

Continue ReadingMichigan House Passes Bill to Ban “Material Support or Resources” for Warrantless Federal Surveillance

Washington State Bill Would Ban “Material Support” for Warrantless Federal Spying Programs

OLYMPIA, Wash. (Jan. 11, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Washington state House would end state cooperation with warrantless federal spying. Passage of the legislation would not only help protect privacy in Washington, it would help hinder unconstitutional federal surveillance. A coalition of five representatives introduced House Bill 1193 (HB1193) last year and it was reintroduced…

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Michigan Committee Passes Bill to Ban “Material Support or Resources” for Warrantless Federal Surveillance

LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 7, 2017) – On Tuesday, a Michigan House committee unanimously passed a bill that would ban “material support or resources” for warrantless federal surveillance programs. This represents an essential step states need to take at a time when the federal government seems unlikely to ever end its own spying. Rep. Martin Howrylak (R-Troy)…

Continue ReadingMichigan Committee Passes Bill to Ban “Material Support or Resources” for Warrantless Federal Surveillance

Michigan Committee Holds Hearing on Bill to Ban “Material Support or Resources” for Warrantless Federal Surveillance

LANSING, Mich. (Nov. 29, 2017) – Yesterday, I testified before the Michigan House Committee on Judiciary in support of a bill that would ban “material support or resources” for warrantless federal surveillance programs, an essential step for states to take in a time when the federal government seems unlikely to ever end their own spying. Rep.…

Continue ReadingMichigan Committee Holds Hearing on Bill to Ban “Material Support or Resources” for Warrantless Federal Surveillance

Foreign NSA Surveillance and the Threat to Liberty at Home

We got an interesting email from Sputnik News recently relating to U.S. surveillance of foreign nationals outside the country. Here the question, followed by my response. QUESTION “The National Security Agency is currently conducting surveillance on more than 100,000 foreign nationals outside the US, several senior US officials revealed Monday, highlighting cases in which so-called…

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New Hampshire Senate Kills Bill Banning Support for Warrantless Federal Spying Programs

CONCORD, N.H. (May 25, 2017) – The New Hampshire Senate killed a bill that would have banned “material support or resources” to warrantless federal spying. Rep. Neal Kurk and Rep. Carol McGuire sponsored House Bill 171 (HB171), along with two cosponsors. The legislation would prohibit the state or its political subdivisions from assisting a federal agency…

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Michigan Action Alert: Support the 4th Amendment, Pass HB4430

House Bill 4430 (HB4430) was introduced in the Michigan House to ban “material support or resources” for warrantless federal surveillance programs, an essential step for states to take in a time when the federal government seems unlikely to ever end their own spying. (learn more here) It must be approved by the House Judiciary before it…

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