Published: 03-17-08
WASHINGTON D.C. –U.S. Congressman John Carter (TX-31) House Republican Conference Secretary today issued the following statement after Democrats pushed through a surveillance bill laden with obstacles that prevent our intelligence community from protecting our country and gives 4th amendment protections to foreigners and terrorists. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has already said this bill will be dead upon arrival in the Senate.
“Passing a FISA bill that has no chance of becoming law is highly irresponsible and poses an urgent threat to the security of this country. For six months now House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has refused to permanently close loopholes in our intelligence laws-outdated laws that are leaving our intelligence community blind to terrorist communication abroad.
“Delaying passage of a good intelligence bill has drastically weakened the ability of our intelligence community to access vital foreign intelligence information including the location intentions and capabilities of terrorists. Our national security will continue to weaken as long as Congress insists on playing politics with it.
“Keeping America safe from terrorist attacks is not and never should be a partisan issue. For the sake of our security I hope the two-week Easter break will knock some common sense into the Democrat Leadership and they will bring up the bipartisan Senate bill that arms our intelligence community with the tools they need to keep us safe.”
