# Massie to push bill limiting federal funds for FLOCK cameras **Published:** 2026-07-27T23:27:00.000Z **Source:** [WUKY 91.3 FM](https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-07-27/massie-teases-anti-flock-camera-push-as-backlash-brews) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/massie-to-push-bill-limiting-federal-funds-for-flock-cameras Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie says he will sponsor legislation to withhold federal money from municipalities and police departments that deploy automatic license plate readers, including FLOCK cameras, [according to WUKY 91.3 FM](https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-07-27/massie-teases-anti-flock-camera-push-as-backlash-brews). The Republican representative's announcement comes as growing backlash against the technology has emerged from privacy advocates and civil liberties groups concerned about surveillance expansion. FLOCK cameras, which automatically scan and record license plate data, have been adopted by police departments across the country to aid in criminal investigations and traffic enforcement. Massie's proposed legislation would use federal funding restrictions as leverage to discourage local law enforcement agencies from adopting the technology. The move reflects broader national debate over automated surveillance systems and their potential impact on privacy rights. The congressman has long been a vocal critic of government surveillance programs. His stance aligns with privacy concerns raised by organizations across the political spectrum, from civil liberties groups to libertarian advocates who argue that license plate readers can infringe on citizens' Fourth Amendment rights. Details about the bill's specific provisions, timeline for introduction, and co-sponsor support remain limited. However, the announcement signals Massie's intention to leverage federal funding mechanisms to restrict the proliferation of automated surveillance technology at the local level. Police departments have defended license plate readers as valuable investigative tools that help locate stolen vehicles, identify criminal suspects, and solve crimes more efficiently. However, privacy advocates argue that the technology enables mass surveillance without adequate safeguards or transparency requirements. ## Sources - [WUKY 91.3 FM](https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-07-27/massie-teases-anti-flock-camera-push-as-backlash-brews) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from WUKY 91.3 FM. The original source is available at https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-07-27/massie-teases-anti-flock-camera-push-as-backlash-brews.