Tom Cotton
Role at the time: U.S. senator and Senate Intelligence Committee chair
Statement summary
Cotton argues that requiring a probable cause warrant to review information collected under Section 702 would be like requiring a new warrant to review lawfully collected evidence, and he objects to proposed conditions he calls unworkable.
“Requiring a probable cause warrant for this information is akin to requiring a police officer to get a new warrant every time he goes into the evidence room to review lawfully collected evidence.”
Cotton supports an extension, rejects proposed conditions and argues against a new warrant requirement to review information already collected. These remarks predate the October demands.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
The case's reference point is renewing Section 702 without a warrant requirement for searches of Americans' communications. Cotton argues that a probable cause warrant requirement is unnecessary and supports extending the program, which defends renewal without that requirement.