Pelosi Statement on Senate Passage of USA Freedom Act

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released this statement following the passage of the USA Freedom Act in the Senate by a vote of 67 to 32:

"Congress has a responsibility to protect the security and liberty of the American people. Today, after the dangerous, unnecessary and avoidable lapse in authorization of national security tools, the Republican Senate has finally passed the USA Freedom Act.

"The bipartisan USA Freedom Act overwhelmingly passed by the House provides thoughtful reforms of intelligence gathering tools designed to keep us safe. Rather than act swiftly on this bipartisan measure, Senate Republicans created an avoidable crisis that shut down vital intelligence gathering.

"Our nation cannot afford any more Republican manufactured crises – not for our national security, and not for the strength of our economy. As more deadlines appear on the horizon, we hope that the Republican Congress stops its vicious cycle of dysfunction, obstruction and distraction. It's long past time for Republicans to join with Democrats to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank's charter and pass a long-term bill to renew the Highway and Transit Trust Fund so that we can start addressing the challenges hard-working families in our country face."

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