February 14, 2008

Pelosi Statement on House Vote on FISA

Pelosi Statement on House Vote on FISA

Pelosi Statement on House Vote on FISA


    WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi
issued the following statement today on the House vote this afternoon that
rejected a 21-day extension of the Protect America Act:



"All Members of Congress fully understand and support our
responsibility to protect the American people and the need for the
President, the Congress, and policymakers to have the best possible
intelligence to fight terrorism.


"On Friday, a surveillance law insisted upon by the President last
August will expire. Today, an overwhelming majority of House Democrats
voted to extend that law for three weeks so that agreement could be reached
with the Senate on a better version of that law. The President and House
Republicans refused to support the extension and therefore will bear the
responsibility should any adverse national consequences result.



"However, even if the Protect America Act expires later this week, the
American people can be confident that our country remains safe and strong.
Every order entered under the law can remain in effect for 12 months from
the date it was issued.


"Furthermore, the underlying Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act,
which provides for the surveillance of terrorists and provides that in
emergencies surveillance can begin without warrant, remains intact and
available to our intelligence agencies. Unlike last August, the FISA court
has no backlog of cases, and thus can issue necessary court orders for
surveillance immediately.

Background:

On November 15, the House passed a strong FISA modernization bill that
protects the American people and their civil liberties. Last night, the
Senate passed its own FISA bill that has serious problems in terms of
retroactive immunity and the separation of powers. The House and the Senate
must reconcile the differences between the two bills, which involve complex
issues relating to the security of the American people and their civil
liberties.

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