Civil Liberties

Representative Waxman believes that laws governing electronic surveillance must adapt to changing technology while maintaining the critical balance between national security needs and the freedoms that define us as a nation.

Representative Waxman opposed reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (P.L. 110-261) out of concern that the measure was insufficient to ensure accountability for the Bush administration’s surveillance program. 

In addition, he has strongly advocated for reform of the USA PATRIOT Act and remains concerned about the legislation’s expansion of the use of warrants, National Security Letters and roving wiretaps.  The Congressman believes that any reauthorization requires a thoughtful and careful review of the law in order to balance protecting civil liberties while keeping the country safe and secure. 

Representative Waxman fully supports the Obama Administration’s efforts to improve our standing in the international community and repair the damage to our civil rights by closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center, reinstating habeas corpus rights for enemy combatants, and restoring U.S. compliance with the Geneva Conventions.  He strongly opposed language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that allows for indefinite military detention of American citizens.  The Congressman believes there is a need for accountability for the broad range of policies that the Bush administration undertook under claims of war powers, and supports the creation of a bipartisan national commission on war powers and civil liberties to investigate those acts.