FYI: Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act is up for debate

Why should everyone mark the date of June 1st, 2015 on their calendars? The provisions of Sections 206, 215, and 6001, of the USA PATRIOT Act are set to expire on June 1st. That also means that the Senate and House of Representatives will be voting on its renewal which would last until 2020. The most controversial of the three that the American people should definitely inform themselves of before June 1st, is Section 215. The big debate with Section 215, is that it authorizes the National Security Agency to carry out unwarranted government surveillance on those suspected of conspiring against the American people. It is also known as the "library records" provision because it allows a wide range of personal material to be investigated. 

But how can we be assured that the government is properly determining whether a person is involved in conducting actions against the United States and its civilians? Recent scandals such as the Edward Snowden case in 2013, revealed that the NSA has abused its capabilities under Section 215 in order to gain intelligence. 

In reality, the policy was drafted and then implemented in less than 2 months. It was meant to address the issue of the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001. But how long do we need to be combatting terrorism in the United States on such an extreme level? Many argue that the issues present over 10 years ago, are not at the same level of relevance in today's American society. 

The questions we must ask ourselves before June 1st are:

1. What elements of Section 215 are truly necessary to protect the American people? 
2. Has its implementation carried out more positive or negative change? 
3. What kind of outcome does Section 215 hold in future American politics?

http://www.olcu.org/PDFs/USPatriotAct_Summary.pdf

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/04/22/gop-pushes-patriot-act-renewal-critics-demand-end-mass-surveillance-provision

http://www.fincen.gov/statutes_regs/patriot/