Eric's Position on Domestic Surveillance
On August 5th of 2007, President Bush signed into law the Protect America Act of 2007, a bill which was designed to rewrite the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978. This bill became a necessity for the Republican Leadership following the revelation that President Bush had enacted the National Security Association (NSA) to illegally spy on American citizens without a warrant and without going before a secret FISA Court.

When we look at specific details of the original FISA bill in 1978, the Government did what was necessary to protect Americans from terrorist attacks while maintaining the Fourth Amendment which protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure. FISA 1978 required the government to secure a warrant from secret FISA courts to wiretap anyone within the United States, however in the case of an "emergency," they could commence surveillance before obtaining a warrant. However, the follow on requirement was that enforcement agencies would then have to return within 72 hours to present their case to a secret FISA court to receive approval and continue surveillance. Since 1978, these retroactive requests have only been denied a handful of times -- and most agreed that the system worked. I believe that this was a fair and safe way to walk the line between protecting American citizens and the rights guaranteed to all of us by the Bill of Rights.

In this post 9/11 world, our standards have been dangerously loosened however. In February of 2006, President Bush announced that the NSA was actively engaged in breaking the law by illegally spying on Americans without gaining the legal authority to do so. In a stunning move in September of 2006, the Congress moved to pass the Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act which essentially gave a rubber stamp of approval on the ongoing warrantless wiretapping the NSA was conducting. Then in August of 2007, the Congress approved the Protect America Act of 2007 which expanded the previous ruling, allowing the White House to eavesdrop on Americans without any court approval whatsoever.

Had I been in Congress during the109th and 110th sessions, I would have opposed both of these bills and when I am elected, I will actively oppose ANY assaults on our Fourth Amendment. When I was in the Navy, I swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution and I did not surrender that promise when I retired.
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Upcoming Events 

Brighton House Party Join Georgianne Arnold at her Brighton home to meet and greet with Eric Massa. Please RSVP at (585) 244-0097.  Sat. Oct 11 - 5:00 PM

Fundraiser for Eric Massa Eric will attend a fundraiser hosted by the PDA.  Sat. Oct 11 - 7:00 PM

Hammondsport House Party Join co-hosts, Jane Russell and Evelyn LaCorix, for a house party in Hammondsport. Food and beverage will be provided. Come meet the candidate in Hammondsport! Please RSVP at (607) 569-3474.  Sun. Oct 12 - 1:00 PM

Watkins Glen House Party Join hosts, Betty and Dale Heichel, for a house party with Eric Massa. Please RSVP to the Heichels at (607) 279-7756.  Sun. Oct 12 - 4:30 PM

Addison House Party Join Eric Massa in Addison for a house party. Please RSVP to the hosts, Viola and Gary Powers, at (607) 359-4646.  Sun. Oct 12 - 7:30 PM

Meet and Greet at Founders Pavilion Join Eric Massa at Founders Pavilion. The candidate will meet and greet with citizens of the 29th district.  Mon. Oct 13 - 2:30 PM

Meet the Candidate Come meet Eric Massa at the National Hotel in Bath. Join Massa and citizens in the Southern Tier to mix and mingle with the candidate. Eric will be happy to address your questions.  Tue. Oct 14 - 4:30 PM

Steuben County Meet and Greet Join Eric Massa and citizens of New York's 29th District for a meeting at the National Hotel in Bath, NY. Eric will be meet with the voters in an informal setting. Anyone is welcome to attend with questions for Eric in mind!   Tue. Oct 14 - 5:00 PM

Veterans Town Hall Meeting Join Eric Massa and local veterans at the Canisteo American Legion.   Tue. Oct 14 - 8:00 PM

Pittsford House Party Join host, David Stornelli, at a house party for Eric Massa. Please RSVP at (585) 218-9618.  Thu. Oct 16 - 7:00 PM

Jefferson Jackson Dinner Eric Massa will attend the annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Cattaraugus County.  Fri. Oct 17 - 7:00 PM

Mendon House Party Join Brad Vanauken and Stacey Miller at a house party for Eric Massa. Please RSVP at (585) 624-2043.  Sun. Oct 19 - 7:00 PM

Pittsford House Party Join host, Frank Novac, at a Pittsford House Party for Eric Massa. Please RSVP to Frank at (585)248-2764.  Mon. Oct 20 - 7:00 PM

FLCC invites Eric Massa to campus Join students and professors at FLCC as they welcome Eric Massa. Eric Massa will meet and greet with individuals at Finger Lakes Community College.  Tue. Oct 21 - 12:30 PM

Meet and Greet Join Eric Massa and supporters at the Quail Summit Senior Living Center where Eric will meet and greet with seniors living in the community.  Wed. Oct 22 - 2:00 PM

Hobart & Williams Smith College hosts Eric Massa Join Eric Massa at Hobart & Williams Smith College. Eric will mix and mingle with attendees.  Thu. Oct 23 - 5:00 PM

Pittsford House Party Join Chis and Helen Haller for a house party in Pittsford. Please RSVP at 585-387-9570.  Thu. Oct 23 - 7:00 PM

Keuka College hosts Eric Massa Join Eric Massa as he speaks to a group at Keuka College.  Fri. Oct 24 - 4:30 PM

Elmira House Party Join Frank and Linda Laux at a house party for Eric Massa. Please RSVP at (607) 732-1853.  Fri. Oct 24 - 8:00 PM

Chemung County Council of Women hosts Election Tea Join the Chemung County Council of Women, the local press, and Congressional Candidates in Western New York's 29th District for an Election Tea at Notre Dame school in Elmira, NY. Each candidate will present for 20 minutes in the auditorium. The presentations will be followed by refreshments and a one-on-one questions and answers session with the candidates in the gymnasium. We hope you can join Eric Massa at his presentation!  Sun. Oct 26 - 2:00 PM

St. Bonaventure University hosts a debate Join Eric at St. Bonaventure for a debate, pending Kuhl's acceptance. If Kuhl does not agree to debate, then an open forum will be held for Eric to discuss the issues that impact Western New Yorkers.  Wed. Oct 29 - 7:00 PM

Pittsford House Party Your invited to join hosts Roger Vince and Pam Cooper-Vince at a house party for Eric Massa. Come meet the candidate. Please RSVP to the Coopers at (585) 387-9059.
  Thu. Oct 30 - 7:00 PM

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