U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has joined as a cosponsor of the Government Surveillance Transparency Act, which aims to require public reporting and notification regarding criminal surveillance orders issued by courts each year. These orders are often sealed indefinitely, preventing public awareness even when no charges are brought against the surveillance targets.
“This bill strikes an appropriate balance between protecting criminal investigations and notifying individuals when their private electronic communications are surveilled by the government,” said Senator Mike Lee. “Americans have a right against unreasonable searches, and that includes in their digital communications and data. I am proud to cosponsor The Government Surveillance Transparency Act.”
The legislation was introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) with additional support from Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Steve Daines (R-MT). In the House of Representatives, the bill was introduced by Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Ted Lieu (D-CA).
“Law-abiding Americans deserve to know when and how their government tries to spy on them,” said Senator Ron Wyden. “This bill establishes a clear process to ensure the government can’t conduct surveillance operations in the dark by misusing sealing orders, with commonsense protections to make sure that active investigations aren’t compromised.”
Senator Cory Booker stated, “The government should not be able to read your emails, access your personal data, or surveil your digital life in secret. But right now, the law lets them do exactly that. Congress has a responsibility to fix it, and it’s long overdue. Every American, every New Jerseyan, has a constitutional right to know when the government has searched their personal information. This bill makes that a reality and restores the transparency every American deserves.”
Senator Steve Daines added, “Montanans and Americans have the Constitutional right to protection from unreasonable searches and seizures. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on the Government Surveillance Transparency Act to increase transparency and maintain integrity of investigations.”
Congressman Warren Davidson commented, “Americans should not be subjected to secret government surveillance that stays sealed forever, with no notice and no accountability. This bipartisan bill restores constitutional balance by requiring eventual notice and ensuring transparency without compromising legitimate law enforcement needs.”
Congressman Ted Lieu remarked, “Americans deserve transparency when the government obtains their data, but current rules allow law enforcement agencies to keep these activities hidden indefinitely. The Government Surveillance Transparency Act prevents the government from keeping the public in the dark forever. By adopting common-sense transparency measures, our bill ensures Americans are eventually notified about subpoenas and court-ordered surveillance of their electronic data. I’m pleased to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate on this important, bipartisan legislation.”
The proposed act would mandate law enforcement agencies notify individuals targeted by subpoenas or court-ordered surveillance of electronic data once investigations are no longer at risk of compromise. It would also allow providers or interested parties to challenge sealing orders; if successful in court, challengers’ legal costs would be covered by the government.
Surveillance applications and related court orders would need to be unsealed after they no longer threaten ongoing investigations or individual safety. Courts would publish basic information online about each authorized surveillance order without disclosing personal details that could affect active cases.
Law enforcement would also have new obligations: they must inform courts if they search an incorrect person or device under a court order or if unauthorized data is disclosed by providers.
The Administrative Office of the Courts would expand annual wiretap reports to include statistics on stored communications surveillance, metadata interception, and gag orders under this legislation.
State and Tribal courts could receive grants for implementing these requirements.
Senator Mike Lee represents Utah in Washington D.C., Salt Lake City, St. George, Vernal, Utah locations according to his official website. He advocates for limited government policies including fiscal responsibility and legislative action on public safety issues as detailed online.
For more information about constituent services offered through his offices in Utah or Washington D.C., visit his official website.
