Email Privacy Act Passes the House Judiciary Committee
I have long called for an update to the laws impacting electronic communications and privacy, and last week the House Judiciary Committee did just that by passing the Email Privacy Act, which requires the government to obtain a warrant in order to access peoples’ electronic communications from a third-party provider. In 2012, I joined Congressman John Conyers, Jr. to introduce the Electronic Communications Privacy Act Modernization Act, which would have required law enforcement to obtain a warrant based on probable cause before searching email. With the passage of the Email Privacy Act, Congress has taken a critical step forward to ensure that our laws strike the right balance between the interests and needs of law enforcement and the privacy of the American people.
I was honored to attend and speak at the OHEL Legislative Breakfast last week. This essential organization, based in my district, has assisted thousands of individuals in need over the last 47 years by providing services for trauma, mental health, medical wellness, developmental disabilities, and foster youth. I am proud to have worked on these issues for many years in Congress, including co-sponsoring the ABLE Act, which passed into law in 2014 and eases financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free savings accounts available to cover disability-related expenses such as education, housing and transportation. I am continuing to work with others in Congress to expand upon that assistance and upon the important work that OHEL does for the community.
Introduction of the Keep Kids Safe Act to Keep Guns Out of the Hands of Convicted Sex Offenders Who Prey on Children
Last week, I introduced the Keep Kids Safe Act -- Keeping guns out of the hands of convicted sex offenders who prey on children. This bill will make guns illegal for misdemeanor sex offenders who target kids, just like we do with those convicted of domestic violence. Thanks to Everytown for Gun Safety, the Violence Policy Center, and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence for their support.
