10/19/2026: Bipartisanship and Flock Cameras

I’m often asked whether I can work with Republicans in Congress. I always say, “Yes! Absolutely!”

Sometimes they follow up with something like “Even Lauren Boebert?”

And I say, “Yes! Even Lauren Boebert.”

When another member of Congress comes to me for help with a bill, I’ll ask three questions: Is your bill constitutional? Is it legal? Will it benefit the people of Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District? That’s it. I have a great example to share, but we need a bit of background.

I spent more than thirty years in the Intelligence Community (IC). I can tell you that the amount of information these professionals collect is truly staggering. When I served, I told everyone they had nothing to worry about. The laws, directives, and regulations governing how we collect and use intelligence would fill a substantial library, and every member of the IC was dedicated to following those rules. Congress, through its committees and staff, exercised detailed oversight of our operations. While it was often annoying, we never questioned its necessity.

Today, private corporations use technology like Flock cameras to collect massive amounts of personal data, store it, and make it accessible to government agencies, all without effective oversight. No one records who retrieves that data or what they intend to do with it. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that this has led to abuses. We’ve heard of some; I’m sure we haven’t heard of many others. Some argue these incidents are rare, but they can be catastrophic, and without appropriate legislation, they will become more common.

This brings us to House Resolution 8470, the Surveillance Accountability Act, known on Capitol Hill as the “Flock Off Law.” HR 8470 addresses private companies that collect personal data and how law enforcement agencies access that data. The law requires government agencies to respect our Fourth Amendment rights and to presume privacy for data collected by non-governmental third parties. The act has three basic requirements:

• All searches of third-party databases by government agencies must be conducted pursuant to a judicial warrant.
• A search warrant is required to collect data from facial recognition and tag-reader systems.
• It prohibits federal agencies from purchasing third-party data to avoid warrant requirements.

I would add an amendment requiring data owners to maintain records of all data requests and the data they provide. I will also call for hearings on how long private companies should retain data covered by this act to prevent them from holding your private data indefinitely.

The bill has two sponsors. One is Thomas Massie (R-KY). Massie lost his primary this year and won’t return in the next session. The other is Lauren Boebert (R-CO). Let me be clear: I’m not a fan of Representative Boebert, but we agree on HR 8470 and on regulating privately owned surveillance systems. If she’s reelected and needs a cosponsor, I’d be happy to help because the law is constitutional, lawful, and will benefit the people of Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District.

Tribalism in Congress must stop. The American people are demanding it, and it’s the right thing to do.

So again, the answer is yes: I can work with Republican members of Congress… even Lauren Boebert.