# Plain Language Summary: Resolution on Edward Snowden

This resolution is essentially a statement of opinion from the House of Representatives saying that the federal government should drop all criminal charges against Edward Snowden. It's not a law that would actually force anything to happen—it's more like an official declaration of what some members of Congress believe should happen. Snowden was charged with violating the Espionage Act and theft of government property after he leaked classified National Security Agency documents to journalists in 2013.

The resolution argues that Snowden's actions were justified because he exposed an illegal government program. According to the resolution, the NSA was secretly collecting phone records from millions of Americans without proper legal authority. The resolution points out that the government lied about this program at first—the Director of National Intelligence testified to Congress that the NSA wasn't collecting data on Americans, which he later admitted was false. When Snowden revealed what was actually happening, courts eventually agreed with him: multiple appeals courts ruled that the bulk phone collection program was illegal and unconstitutional, and a government oversight board found it didn't even help catch terrorists.

The resolution's core argument is that Snowden acted as a whistleblower exposing unconstitutional government overreach, and therefore shouldn't be prosecuted. It emphasizes that while officials who actually ran the illegal program haven't faced consequences, Snowden—who exposed it—is being punished. The resolution essentially says the government should protect people who reveal illegal activities rather than prosecute them.

It's important to note that this resolution doesn't actually change anything by itself. It's a symbolic statement that would need to be followed by actual legislative action or a presidential pardon to have any real effect on Snowden's legal situation.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Government should drop all charges against Edward Snowden.

Greene, Marjorie Taylor

<p>This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the National Security Agency's bulk collection telephone records program was unconstitutional and that all federal charges against Edward Snowden should be dropped. (Mr. Snowden disclosed information about the program and was subsequently charged for unauthorized disclosure of national defense information, unauthorized disclosure of classified communication intelligence, and theft of government property).<br/><br/></p>