Resolution of the Executive Committee of Democrats Abroad Adopted by the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party Committee Abroad, October 23, 2007, by telephone conference. Whereas, the checks and balances of our Constitution have been weakened by authorizing the Executive branch to conduct electronic surveillance (“wiretapping”) of American citizens, without warrants and without accountability; Whereas, Congress and, notably, the Senate Judiciary Committee have been unable to obtain answers from the Bush Administration concerning the full extent of its warrantless wiretapping programs; Whereas, the Foreign Intelligence Security Act 1978 (FISA) specifically provides for special courts to issue warrants for the wiretapping of Americans as and when required; Whereas, judicial oversight has never proven to be a significant factor in delaying such surveillance and this oversight has been weakened by the Protect America Act 2007, which extends and amends FISA; Whereas, the Protect America Act allows for warrantless surveillance of any person “reasonably believed to be located outside the United States”, thus including American citizens living abroad; Whereas, the Protect America Act is due to expire in February 2008; Now, therefore, let it be resolved, that the Executive Committee of Democrats Abroad calls on Congress to reject extension of the Protect America Act 2007 or any similar legislation amending FISA which does not restore and maintain judicial oversight of the Executive branch for wiretapping of American citizens; Let it be further resolved, that the Executive Committee of Democrats Abroad calls on Congress, and in particular members of the Americans Abroad Caucus, to restore the Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure, guaranteed to all Americans, but denied to U.S. citizens living abroad.