Today, the RLCMN issues the following press release. Our civil liberties are under attack, and those commit these acts should be held accountable, regardless of whether or not they have an “R” after their name!

Republican Liberty Caucus Calls Upon MNGOP Chair Keith Downey to Rebuke Congressional Vote for Warrantless Spying

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (December 12, 2014) – Republican Liberty Caucus state chair Neil Lynch called upon Republican Party of Minnesota chair Keith Downey to issue a public rebuke of the state party’s congressional delegation for supporting an unprecedented violation of Americans’ civil liberties.

On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Intelligence Authorization Act (H.R. 4681), which includes a provision that allows warrantless spying on American citizens for use in law enforcement.

Lynch referenced a letter issued by Congressman Justin Amash (R-MI) to his House colleagues warning them of the late amendment to the Intelligence Authorization Act, which attached the offending provision. Amash wrote, “Sec. 309 authorizes ‘the acquisition, retention, and dissemination’ of nonpublic communications, including those to and from U.S. persons. The section contemplates that those private communications of Americans, obtained without a court order, may be transferred to domestic law enforcement for criminal investigations.”

“This means the government can spy on American citizens without a warrant and use whatever they find in criminal prosecutions. That’s precisely what the Fourth Amendment prohibits,” said Lynch. “It’s a sad testament to the condition of the Republican Party when not a single member of our congressional delegation voted to defend personal liberty. No American — especially no Republican — should stand for this.”