By Michael Coleman
Journal Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON— Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., on Wednesday said Congress should immediately change a federal law that prohibits U.S. authorities from listening in on foreign terror suspects in foreign countries without a warrant.
Wilson said the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 is outdated and does not meet the needs of a 21st century fight against terrorism.
Specifically, she said, the act prohibits intelligence officials from intercepting electronic communications of foreign suspects who are outside the U.S. without a warrant.
Wilson, the top Republican on the House Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence, introduced a bill this week that would allow the warrantless eavesdropping. She said the entire law needs to be overhauled but wants this change made now.
Wilson has previously criticized aspects of the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping program, but she said her proposal is "narrowly crafted" and would not interfere with Americans' civil liberties in any way.
"We're not talking about U.S. persons here, we're talking about foreigners in foreign countries," Wilson said in an interview Wednesday. "Of all the issues we deal with, this is the one that scares me the most. It is critical we act."
Wilson said Democrats, who control the House, have argued that it is not unreasonable to ask a judge to issue a warrant for the surveillance. But Wilson argued it can be very difficult to quickly compile information for a warrant on a shadowy foreign figure.
"This is stupid and it's endangering Americans— it already has," said Wilson, adding that she could not discuss details of specific threats or cases because the information is classified.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, this week supported Wilson's call for the FISA change.
"It is imperative that Congress close the gaping loophole in our intelligence law that prevents operatives from listening to foreign terrorists," Boehner said in a statement Tuesday.
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