Fitzpatrick targets NSA surveillance with vow to cut funding

A Bucks County congressman is warning the National Security Agency that further spying on American citizens will endanger the agency’s funding.

“The National Security Agency, we were told, was responsibly monitoring communications to ensure our safety and that was not the case,” said Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, adding that the NSA has already overstepped its bounds.

Fitzpatrick is introducing a bill to cut off funding for the NSA’s surveillance program if it crosses the line and reviews records of U.S. citizens.

“I’ve prepared a bill that essentially tells the NSA that, if they unlawfully spy on Americans again, Congress will take away their funding,” Fitzpatrick said. “The bill also makes it clear that the NSA can only track Americans where strong evidence suggests that they are doing wrong.”

While he anticipates the introduction of other, similar bills, Fitzpatrick said his constituents are upset and want action.