Pelosi Statement on Senate Republicans' Failure to Pass USA Freedom Act

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on Senate Republicans' failure to pass the USA Freedom Act before tonight's deadline, allowing the expiration of key intelligence gathering authorities:

"To protect and defend the American people is the first duty of the Congress. Yet once again, the unending dysfunction of the Republican Congress is endangering the security of America's families. Tonight, as Senate Republicans fail to pass the USA Freedom Act and allow the expiration of national security tools, it is clear Republicans' recklessness and ineptitude has reached new and dangerous depths.

"This is a completely foreseeable and completely unnecessary crisis. The bipartisan USA Freedom Act overwhelmingly passed by the House provides thoughtful reforms of intelligence gathering programs designed to keep us safe. Senate Republicans have failed to produce any viable alternative. Now their procrastination will force the shutdown of vital intelligence gathering, leaving our nation needlessly vulnerable.

"It is clear the American people are faced with a Republican Congress unmoved by the consequences of missed deadlines and allergic to meaningful solutions. More deadlines lie on the horizon, with the impending expiration of the Export-Import Bank's charter and expiration of the Highway and Transit Trust Fund endangering hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country. But there too, Republicans have no plan to act. We cannot afford such a staggeringly cavalier approach to our national security, our economy or the success of hard working American families."

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