Dollars and cents of NSA overreach

When we talk about reforming the NSA, we’re right to focus first and foremost on protecting the rights and privacy of American citizens.

Government spying on innocent civilians is simply wrong. But that’s not the whole story. NSA overreach is also doing damage to our economy, and costing us jobs.

As chair of the Senate Finance Committee, I’ve heard from technology leaders about the economic impact of the dragnet surveillance – and the news is sobering. By some estimates, U.S. technology companies could lose up to $35 billion in revenue over the next three years. Much of that loss comes from foreign customers opting not to buy high-tech goods and services from U.S.-based companies. Mass surveillance isn’t just bad for our democracy and our diplomacy – it’s bad for business.

Reining in the NSA would do more than restore our right to privacy – it would also help us create and protect jobs. But the watered-down version of the USA Freedom Act passed by the House of Representatives simply doesn’t do the job.

I hope you’ll join me in calling on the House to pass the full-strength version of NSA reform, so we can send it to the President for his signature. Sign the petition calling for real NSA reform and let’s make our voices heard!

Thank you for standing with me.

Ron Wyden