Crenshaw Welcomes Passage of Terrorist Surveillance Bill
FISA Compromise Reached and Approved by Congress after Long Delay
June 21, 2008
Contact: Jeremy Steffens (202) 225-2501
(Washington, DC) – Today, 125 days after the Democratic Congress allowed America’s terrorist surveillance abilities to expire, Congress passed bi-partisan Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) legislation that restores and modernizes our Nation’s ability to keep Americans safe from potential terrorist attacks.
Congressman Ander Crenshaw said, “The government was trying to regulate cutting edge surveillance technology with decades old legislation. It was time for a FISA makeover.”
“It is the number one responsibility of the federal government to protect its citizens. I have consistently fought to ensure our nation has every possible tool to keep us safe from terrorist threats. While I am disappointed that it took so long to restore and strengthen these tools, I am pleased that we were able to work together and reach a compromise.”
The legislation was the latest effort to overhaul the 1978 FISA law – which sets procedures on overseas and domestic electronic surveillance. Due to new communications technologies developed since the first FISA law, this bill required a complete overhaul and modernization of surveillance rules.
Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Michael McConnell asked Congress to update the FISA legislation, making it “technologically neutral.” He also requested that warrantless surveillance of suspected foreign terrorists be allowed when they are communicating with individuals within the United States.
The delay in passage was due to a political battle over whether or not telecommunications companies who provided the government information immediately following the attacks of September 11, 2001 could be sued retroactively. There are currently over 40 suits being filed against these companies who voluntarily worked with the government. The bill passed today, adds appropriate liability protections for such companies.
“Protecting America is a responsibility that I take very seriously. There are radicals around the world who are actively planning attacks against us and we must be proactive in our efforts to stop them. This legislation strengthens our ability to do just that,” added Crenshaw.
The bill also requires the government and its agencies to get approval from the secret FISA court prior to setting out processes to target foreign individuals suspected of plotting attacks. The court also prohibits the intentional targeting of US individuals without a warrant from the court.
Rep. Crenshaw said, “This bill strikes the careful balance between listening to our enemies and protecting our citizen’s civil liberties. The new legislation protects the privacy of Americans by working to ensure that companies are held accountable for properly using the information that they have access to.”
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