Tag Archives: United States House of Representatives

EFF: Congress Shamefully Passes CISPA; Stop US Senate

from the Electronic Freedom Foundation

U.S. House of Representatives Shamefully Passes CISPA;

Internet Freedom Advocates Prepare for a Battle in the Senate

CISPA - The solution is the problem
CISPA – The solution is the problem (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)

Today, Internet freedom advocates everywhere turned their eyes to the U.S. House of Representatives as that legislative body considered the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act.

For the second year in a row,  the House voted to approve CISPA, a bill that would allow companies to bypass all existing privacy law to spy on communications and pass sensitive user data to the government.  EFF condemns the vote in the House and vows to continue the fight in the Senate.

“CISPA is a poorly drafted bill that would provide a gaping exception to bedrock privacy law,” EFF Senior Staff Attorney Kurt Opsahl said. “While we all agree that our nation needs to address pressing Internet security issues, this bill sacrifices online privacy while failing to take common-sense steps to improve security.”

The legislation passed 288-127, despite a veto threat from Pres. Barack Obama, who expressed serious concerns about the danger CISPA poses to civil liberties.  Continue reading EFF: Congress Shamefully Passes CISPA; Stop US Senate

Occupy Congress in 2012

occupy congress 3This lesson from 2011 has been that we must reach beyond our comfort zones and participate directly in democracy.  Now that the 2011 elections are over, let’s talk about the 2012 elections where all of the House of Representatives and a 1/3 of the US Senate are up for re-election.

We have talked about how Congress is currently occupied by corporations It’s time to take it back.  Congress needs to by occupied by real people.  Congress needs to be occupied by YOU!!  

I am not talking about bring a sleeping bag or tent to your local Congressional office.  You must think of a more permanent occupation.  Sitting behind the desk that says Representative (or Senator) for a full term.  Imagine the changes you can make as a representative of the 99%.   Continue reading Occupy Congress in 2012