WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after disagreements within the Republican caucus led to the impending expiration of the USA PATRIOT Act at midnight. Murphy opposes the unwarranted government surveillance and bulk data collection programs currently carried out under the USA PATRIOT Act. Tonight, Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture on the motion to proceed to the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015, which he supports.


“Today was an embarrassing day for the United States Senate. This crisis was 100 percent foreseeable and 100 percent avoidable, yet Republicans willingly walked into the trap they set for themselves. I strongly oppose reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act in its current form, but letting it expire without passing a smart bill to take its place is both dangerous and totally unnecessary. 


“While it’s not perfect, I remain a supporter of the USA FREEDOM Act – as does a majority of both the House and Senate – because it provides our intelligence and law enforcement communities with the tools they need to keep us safe while protecting the rights and privacy of everyday Americans. People in Connecticut know that America is strongest when our values guide our actions. Our nation faces unprecedented challenges around the world, but we can confront these challenges without sacrificing our Constitutional values and founding principles.”