Federalism: Washington State May Make It A Crime To Help The NSA

This is similar to all those state laws we saw last year which would make it a crime to assist the federal government in enforcing new gun control laws, only it’s aimed at assisting the NSA in violating our constitutional right to privacy.

In response to national security leaks by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden about the agency, two Washington state lawmakers introduced a bill on Wednesday aimed at denying any help to federal agencies engaging in warrantless electronic surveillance.

Called the “Creating the Fourth Amendment protection act,” the bill would make providing any type of assistance — including “material support,” state funds, and services — a misdemeanor for corporations or person acting as state contractors, and a gross misdemeanor for state employees.

Violating the act could land a state employee up to a year in county jail with a $5,000 fine. In addition, they would lose their job and be barred from public service.

This is why the 10th amendment is important. Maybe our friends on the left (this legislation in Washington has bi-partisan support) will find a new appreciation for federalism, recognizing that it’s not just for neo-confederates and secessionists.