Comment Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),

Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee,

On House Passage Of Legislation

To Amend The FISA Amendments Act Of 2007

March 14, 2008

 

“I commend the House of Representatives for passing its amendment to the Senate’s FISA Amendments Act of 2007.  It is a step forward, and a good bill.  The Senate-passed legislation has a number of serious failings and does not adequately protect the privacy and civil liberties of Americans.  The House bill adds several crucial protections without interfering in any way with this important new surveillance authority. 

 

“For the last month, the House has worked with Democratic Senators, and House leaders have repeatedly sought to work with congressional Republicans and the administration to fashion reasonable compromise legislation.  Unfortunately, congressional Republicans and the administration have refused to engage in meaningful discussions or negotiations about the legislation.  The White House has tried, again, to treat Congress like a rubber stamp.

 

“I am glad that The House leadership understood that under our constitutional system of government, Congress writes legislation, and I applaud the House for its significant efforts to pass a good bill.”

 

For Leahy’s full Record statement from March 13 on House consideration of FISA, click here.

 

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