Hillary Clinton

Does the NSA need more oversight?

Yes, Clinton believes that collecting information is essential to our national security, but does believe it should be curtailed so that it doesn’t go too far.

Should the government be allowed to collect bulk data on americans?

During her time as Senator, Clinton voted to authorize the Patriot Act in 2001, as well as for its reauthorization in 2005. Due to her strong position on generating strong national security, she believes data is an important part of our fight against terrorism, but bulk data on the broader public without suspicion is not the answer.

In her words:

“The balance between the urgent goal of combating terrorism and the safeguarding of our most fundamental constitutional freedoms is not always an easy one to draw. However, they are not incompatible, and unbridled and unchecked executive power is not the answer.”

Lindsey Graham

Does the NSA need more oversight?

Nope. The NSA is doing it’s job, and if that means a slight intrusion on American lives, so be it. Graham has mentioned the possibility of supporting a stronger process of judicial review of the NSA in the future, but believes reform shouldn’t occur at this current moment in time due to the existing threats which exist all around us.

Should the government be allowed to collect bulk data on americans?

Yep. Graham believes that if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn’t be worried. The bulk collection of data is contributing to the greater good of our country according to Graham, and is a price we must pay for security.

In his words:

“ I’m glad the NSA is trying to find out what the terrorists are up to overseas and in our country. I’m a Verizon customer. I don’t mind Verizon turning over records to the government if the government is going to make sure that they try to match up a known terrorist phone with somebody in the United States. I don’t think you’re talking to the terrorists. I know you’re not. I know I’m not. So we don’t have anything to worry about.”

Marco Rubio

Does the NSA need more oversight?

No, actually the opposite. The NSA according to Rubio is conducting such high level investigations that are crucial to our national security that we should just let the NSA do their thing without intruding.

Should the government be allowed to collect bulk data on americans?

Yes, Rubio has even supported a permanent extension of the provisions of the Patriot Act which allow the NSA to collect extensive phone data. In fact, Rubio most recently voted against the USA Freedom Act, which would limit the collection of cell data, because he believes this widespread collection program should not be altered.

In their words:

“Every time the debate comes before Congress about putting restrictions on our intelligence program, I argue about the issue of homegrown extremism and the threat they pose.”

Bernie Sanders

Does the NSA need more oversight?

Yes. The NSA has overstepped, and Sanders is very uncomfortable with this idea, particularly because he voted against authorizing the original Patriot Act in 2001.

Should the government be allowed to collect bulk data on americans?

Absolutely not, it is an infringement on American constitutional rights. While protecting the American public is crucial, the infringement on American constitutional rights is extremely worrisome. Even with the reform of the USA Freedom Act, Sanders believes curtailing this program has not gone far enough and even further regulation should be applied.

In their words:

“It gives the government far too much power to spy on innocent United States citizens and provides for very little oversight or disclosure. While we must aggressively pursue international terrorists and all of those who would do us harm, we must do it in a way that protects the Constitution and the civil liberties which make us proud to be Americans.”

Rand Paul

Does the NSA need more oversight?

Yes. Paul is in full support of having more transparency with government surveillance programs, hoping that the current programs of phone record acquisition be shut down.. His libertarian views strongly clash with the idea of a strong and secretive government, preferring instead a limited government more influenced by voters through checks and balances.

Should the government be allowed to collect bulk data?

No. Rand says there should be as little government as possible. “Get a warrant!” He repeated in his filibuster, pushing the Patriot Act vote to expiration on Sunday. He vehemently opposed the USA Freedom Act, though appreciating the reeling in the Government’s ability to collect bulk data, he hoped that the legislation would go further and not allow any acquisition of data without a warrant.

In His Words:

“We should not be debating modifying an illegal program. We should simply end this illegal program.”

Rick Santorum

Does the NSA need more transparency?

Not sure. Although we’re not sure of Santorum’s explicit opinion about increasing transparency reforms, he supported voting the USA Freedom Act, which did just that. Still, it appears this was only to renew the authority that the NSA has to investigate domestic threats instead of letting the provisions in question expire completely.

Should the government be allowed to collect bulk data?

Yes. In a recent interview on Meet the Press, Rick Santorum conveyed a support for the continuation of the use of collecting bulk data. He voted in favor of the Patriot act initially in 2001 and stands by the belief that the Act has been effective in defending the lives of Americans.

In His Words:

“I’m not aware of any abuses of the Patriot Act that cause any undue fear about invasion of privacy.”

Martin O’Malley

Does the NSA need more transparency?

Yes. O’Malley backs reforms to warrant procedures with the hopes that there might be a representative of the people that would correspond with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts to increase transparency.

Should the government be allowed to collect bulk data?

No. He supported the USA Freedom Act so that NSA couldn’t continue the collection of bulk data rather than supporting the continuation of the Patriot Act, stating, “We need to improve upon the Patriot Act.”

In His Words:

“We’re a people who should never give up our privacy for our security,”

George Pataki

Does the NSA need more transparency?

Probably not. It’s safe to assume that Pataki is against more transparency when he wanted to leave the Patriot Act untouched.

Should the government be allowed to collect bulk data?

Yes. Stating that “This is the most dangerous time since 9/11”, he the NSA to be as effective and efficient as possible. He was outwardly critical of Rand Paul’s forcing the Patriot Act to expire, calling it naive and irresponsible to lower our security and risk the lives of the American people

In His Words:

“This is probably the most dangerous time for Americans here since September 11th, and to now have this void where the NSA cannot track lone wolves, they cannot use roving wiretaps against people they understand, probably are looking to engage in terrorist acts is completely wrong,”

Ben Carson

Does the NSA need more oversight?

It’s not clear what Carson’s stance on this is because he hasn’t said anything publicly on this specific issue. But he indicated that he isn’t 100% down with mass surveillance after Snowden leaked information about the NSA’s bulk data collection program.

Should the government be allowed to collect bulk data on million of Americans?

Again, Carson hasn’t said specifically what his position is on the NSA’s bulk data collection, but he very much supports less government intervention in people’s lives in general and wants to make government smaller. So it could be reasoned that he probably isn’t crazy about the NSA’s data surveillance programs that collect bulk data on millions of Americans.

In His Words:

“The secrecy that is going on right now coupled with the apparent dishonesty in government obviously has dampened the enthusiasm in people.”

Carly Fiorina

Does the NSA need more transparency?

It’s not clear what Fiorina’s stance on this issue is because she hasn’t said anything publicly about it.

Should the government be allowed to collect bulk data on million of Americans?

It’s not clear what Fiorina’s stance on this issue is because she hasn’t said anything publicly about it.

Ted Cruz

Does the NSA need more oversight/transparency?

Yes, he not only voted for the USA Freedom Act but was one of the original cosponsors of the bill.

Should the government be allowed to collect bulk data on million of Americans?

No, Cruz has been a really vocal critic of the NSA spying ever since Edward Snowden’s revelations

In His Words:

“The USA FREEDOM Act strikes the right balance between protecting our privacy rights and our national security interests, and I am pleased that today Congress has passed this bill and is sending it to the President’s desk.”

Mike Huckabee

Does the NSA need more transparency?

Yes. He has indicated that he believes the NSA needs to be more accountable to the public and requires more judicial oversight. He said on Facebook that he would think it’s unconstitutional to even have a secret court that rules on citizen’s civil rights without their knowledge.

Should the government be allowed to collect bulk data on million of Americans?

No, he thinks that the NSA should get a warrant if they suspect an American of being involved in terrorist activities instead of sweeping phone-data gathering.

In His Words:

“Does the Constitution allow the government to read the mail and to listen to the phone calls, even to collect them, without a warrant of probable cause, and I think the answer here is no they can’t.”