July 9, 2008

Berkowitz Denounces Immunity for Illegal Violations of Privacy

Senate Approval of FISA "Compromise" Defies Bill of Rights

U.S. House Candidate Ethan Berkowitz is outraged by today's U.S. Senate approval of amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Under the measure, telecom companies will be granted retroactive immunity for illegally handing over to the federal government the phone records of millions of Americans.

"Retroactive immunity is a tacit admission that something wrong and illegal has already occurred - that there has already been a violation of privacy," Berkowitz said. "This is a blatant violation of the 4th Amendment, our right as Americans to be secure from illegal search and seizure. Which amendment will they go after next?"

The FISA Amendments Act already passed in the U.S. House last month, and will now be signed into law by President Bush.

The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

From an Ethan Berkowitz press release