FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          CONTACT: Kevin Lawlor, 202/225-1880

November 15, 2007                                                                                      www.tauscher.house.gov

Rep. Ellen Tauscher Votes to Bolster Foreign Surveillance Practices While Protecting Constitutional Rights

Washington, DC – Today, The House of Representatives passed H.R. 3773, the RESTORE (Responsible Electronic Surveillance That is Overseen, Reviewed and Effective) Act.  This bill updates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to provide meaningful and flexible surveillance tools for the intelligence community, while protecting the constitutional rights of all Americans.

Rep. Tauscher issued the following statement

“We will always face serious threats to our national security that require intelligence-gathering to preempt another national tragedy, but it’s a false choice to say that security has to come at the expense of our rights. We can protect our homeland and our Constitution at the same time.   I am committed to giving our intelligence and law enforcement communities the tools they need prevent and respond to terrorist plots against the United States. Surveillance needs to be balanced with the highest degree of respect for the privacy of innocent Americans.  This legislation strikes that balance and will be an important tool in keeping us safe and protecting our rights.” 

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