House Rules Committee: Allow a Vote on Massie-Lofgren Amendments to the Defense Appropriations Bill
A bipartisan group of House members are preparing to introduce measures widely supported by their colleagues that would reign in NSA domestic surveillance and protect encryption. But a change in procedure by the House leadership may deny the House a chance to even consider their proposal.
Based on their successful amendments to the House Defense Appropriations bill two years ago, Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Ted Poe (R-TX) aim to reintroduce measures backed by civil liberties organizations and activists as amendments to the Defense Appropriations bill currently moving through the House.
By prohibiting backdoor searches and preventing the NSA and CIA from undermining encryption standards, their proposals would represent a significant step forward in the ongoing battle to secure privacy and security in the face of ongoing unconstitutional surveillance documented in 2013 by Edward Snowden.
Unfortunately, however, changes to the House rules imposed under Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) may prevent members from even considering these measures despite overwhelming support across both major political parties. The House Rules Committee could allow an open rule enabling amendments, or it could choose to maintain a closed rule permitting no debate on amendments to protect your privacy and security.
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