Democrat incumbent Senator Mark Warner is at it again. Last week, the Senate Intelligence Committee voted 12-3 to advance the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (S. 2588), an updated version of the infamous CISPA legislation that was shelved when a broad coalition of libertarian, progressive, and conservative activists and groups came out to oppose it. Im proud to represent the Libertarian Party, which has come out again in strong opposition to S. 2588, explaining that CISA presents many of the same problems as the failed Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) of 2012, which contained significant privacy concerns and other shortcomings. Privacy experts have pointed out how CISA would damage the privacy and civil liberties of users. Language in CISA, like CISPA, enables the automatic and simultaneous transfer of cybersecurity information to U.S. intelligence agencies like the National Security Agency. Mark Warner is bragging about a half-measure he inserted into the bill that would simply require a report from the Director of National Intelligence. That would be James Clapper, who LIED to Congress under oath about NSA surveillance!! To put it mildly, Warners amendment fails to fix the real problem. Meanwhile, my Republican opponent Ed Gillespie is still reviewing the legislation. I oppose S. 2588. Unlike both of my opponents, I also oppose the so-called Patriot Act that the federal government has relied on to justify its mass surveillance program. I encourage Virginians, whether you agree with me on these issues or not, to sign my petition for inclusion in the debates. A debate through press statements about such vital issues just doesnt cut it. Virginia voters deserve to hear a real debate among all the candidates on the ballot. Sign the petition here: volunteer.robertsarvis/debate_petition (and please SHARE this post!)
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 20:01:12 +0000