FREEDOMWORKS 04/30/2015

1. Letter in Support of the Poe-Lofgren Amendment to the USA FREEDOM ACT - by Matt Kibbe As one of our more than 6.9 million FreedomWorks members nationwide, I urge you to contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee today and ask them to support the Poe-Lofgren Amendment to the USA FREEDOM Act to limit NSA spying. With key sections of the USA PATRIOT Act up for reauthorization, now is our chance to enact meaningful surveillance reform and protect American privacy. The bipartisan Poe-Lofgren Amendment, authored by Rep. Ted Poe and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, would amend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to prohibit the government from searching personal communications without specific authorization, except under specific emergency situations. While Section 702 already requires a warrant for intentionally targeting citizens, the government is asserting the authority to query data incidentally collected in broader searches. Read more here... 2. Update: Patriot Act Renewal Action Happening Fast: See What's Coming Up - by Josh Withrow Set to expire at the end of May, Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act is only one of a number of authorities the government uses to defy the 4th Amendment and spy on millions of Americans without a direct warrant. Nevertheless, its upcoming sunset date provides defenders of liberty a strong chance to make serious move back towards our founders’ intention that: “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.” Read more here... 3. Join Us and invest in Freedom For more than a quarter of a century FreedomWorks has educated citizens and policymakers who stand in defense of freedom. Watch more here... 4. Rev. C.L. Bryant Inspires Florida Grassroots Activists - by Chris Hopkins The American dream is alive an well and the proof of that was CL Bryant's talk to the South Lake 912 Project in Clermont FL April 23rd. C L Bryant's dynamic style encouraged to members to stay vigilant and defend the Republic. He explained how the Civil Right's movement of the 1950's was actually started by Republicans and President Eisenhower but Lyndon Johnson and John Kennedy put a stop to it in the Senate. "Know your history, that history is yours and you need to claim it and proclaim it!"" See more here... 5. Guess Which CEO Threatened to Move Jobs Overseas if Congress Closes Export-Import Bank - by Tom Borelli Boeing’s first quarter reported earnings surpassed Wall Street estimates and its stock price is up about 20 percent over the past year. Despite its positive results, Boeing is urging the federal government to maintain subsidies the company receives through the Export-Import Bank. Boeing is the biggest beneficiary of the Ex-Im Bank – a government program that provides various types of financial support for foreign buyers of U.S. products.Read more here... 6. State Regulatory Boards: Consumer Protection or Market Protectionism? - by Michael Greibrok Today you need hours of training and a license to do a countless number of jobs throughout the United States. These requirements cover jobs that are not only highly-skilled, potentially dangerous professions like medical surgeons, but also pet groomers, interior designers, florists and hair braiding. Too often those that sit on the regulatory boards that impose training and licensure requirements for entry are employed within the regulated industry. In other words, florists are determining who else can become florists and pet groomers are deciding who can become pet groomers. This blurs the line between consumer protection and market protectionism. Read more here... Make freedom work, Iris Somberg Press Secretary, FreedomWorks