Sen. Ernst Statement on Expiring Provisions in the PATRIOT Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, the Senate voted to proceed on the USA Freedom Act. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the following statement on expiring provisions in the PATRIOT Act that enable the National Security Agency (NSA) to collect metadata.

"These provisions included in the PATRIOT Act are critical to the safety and security of our country. I supported a short-term extension which would afford the necessary time to achieve a consensus solution in Congress.

“However, I have serious concerns with delegating responsibility to telephone companies.

“We are engaged in a global war on terrorism and as this debate continues, we must be mindful not to put ourselves in a position that opens us up to intelligence gaps, especially at a time when we see increasingly complex and dangerous threats around the world.

“I remain committed to achieving a solution that provides Iowans and all Americans with the privacy and security they deserve.”

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