Speaker John A. Boehner on Wednesday backed for the first time the end of the NSA’s collection of bulk data, expressing support for a bipartisan bill that would reform the way the government engages in domestic surveillance.  

The Ohio Republican endorsed a bipartisan bill that would allow private companies to store the telephone metadata, rather than the government. The position is in line with that of President Barack Obama. The Administration unveiled their own proposals to reform the NSA’s surveillance on Tuesday.  

Boehner said he expects the House will soon take up the bill, released on Tuesday by bipartisan members of the Intelligence Committee.  

“I expect that part of this effort will include the end of the government holding on to bulk data,” Boehner said.  

“I’ve long said these programs exist to save Americans’ lives, and they have. And while there are some valid privacy concerns, it would be irresponsible to end these programs before we have a credible alternative,” he said.