Privacy on the line, and the stakes just got higher
Your privacy is on the line, and the Senate could be voting as early as tomorrow. Right now, federal agencies can buy your personal information — your location, your search history, who you talk to, your purchases — all without a warrant. The Senate’s vote will either close that loophole or leave it wide open.
And the stakes just got higher. President Trump named Bill Pulte the new acting director of national intelligence. Pulte has no national security experience. But he does have experience carrying out baseless, retaliatory investigations into the president’s political opponents. POGO’s experts warn that the mass surveillance apparatus is now under the charge of a loyalist who could use it against critics of the administration.
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The deadline to reauthorize FISA is June 12. That gives your senators a short window to decide and gives you a short window to influence them. We need to flood their inboxes and answering machines with a unified message to make sure they make the right decision. The government cannot buy its way around your constitutional rights. |
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Our window is closing fast. Don’t wait to act. — POGO |
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------------------FWD------------------ Mark, it’s shaping up to be an extremely consequential week in Washington. Congress will cast votes that directly affect your safety, your privacy, and your tax dollars.
The Senate is poised to vote in the coming days on a War Powers Resolution that could finally end the illegal war in Iran. Even with a so-called ceasefire, the violence has continued, with the U.S. and Iran trading strikes over the weekend.
Congress has the power to end this war, but only if your representatives hear from you. POGO is urging lawmakers to force an end to the hostilities in Iran. Watch your inbox; we will need your voice ahead of crucial votes.
The Senate could also vote on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act as early as this Thursday. In April, your representatives in the House had an opportunity to protect your privacy but instead kicked the can down the road. Reauthorizing FISA without any reform to the data broker loophole means government agencies will continue to buy your personal, sensitive data without a warrant.
The Fourth Amendment enshrines your right to privacy. The government should not be allowed to buy its way around that. Your senators must do what the House failed to do and protect you from the very real dangers of AI-supercharged, warrantless mass surveillance. POGO is in conversation with reform champions in the Senate to ensure this loophole is finally closed. Follow along for action alerts — your senators need to hear your two cents.
Speaking of cents, this Thursday the House Armed Services Committee is planning to debate and vote on its plan for the Pentagon budget. It is your first significant opportunity to try and stop Congress from giving the White House the astounding $1.5 trillion it wants for the Pentagon next year.
Enough is enough. History has shown you that any increase to the Pentagon’s massively bloated budget would simply fuel more waste and, currently, illegal conflicts across the globe. Right now, the Pentagon needs accountability and reform, not more of your tax dollars. POGO will be tracking this markup closely. Keep track with us by following POGO on social media.
One week. A whole lot on the line.
Here’s what you can do right now, Mark: |
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- Follow POGO on Instagram, X, or Bluesky. We will post live updates all week so you never miss a critical moment.
- Watch your inbox for urgent action alerts in the coming days.
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Thank you for knowing what progress takes and being willing to do it.
— POGO
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