The Arizona Republic newspaper wrote an insightful editorial this morning about the ongoing FISA debate and Speaker Pelosi’s opposition to providing legal-liability immunity to telecommunications companies. According to them, “Pelosi’s opposition – erected on behalf of the trial lawyers and political activists who are pressing almost 40 lawsuits against the telecoms on this issue right now – exasperates even the Democrats in the Senate, where a solidly bipartisan FISA modernization bill passed three weeks ago, 68-29.” The editorial goes on to say that Pelosi and her trial lawyer allies are shamelessly exploiting Americans’ opposition to intrusive government, without explaining why telecom companies would even engage in such a conspiracy.

While it is important that a FISA compromise bill be passed as soon as possible, at this point, there is still no indication that Democrat leaders will allow a vote. In the meantime, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for our intelligence agencies to collect vital information on terrorists communicating overseas.

Posted in War on Terror | 2 Comments | View Full Posting

Congressman Culberson sent an email update this morning explaining the importance of quickly passing a permanent fix to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The San Antonio Express-News similarly wrote an editorial today saying, “The sticking point between the House and Senate concerns the treatment of telecommunications companies that complied with White House requests to cooperate with the intelligence community following the 9-11 attacks. The Senate measure wisely grants these companies immunity from multibillion-dollar civil liberties lawsuits, acknowledging that they acted in good faith to help protect the nation from terrorist attack…The sooner the rest of the House leadership comes to its senses on this issue, the better.” If you would like to sign up for Congressman Culberson’s email updates, click here.

Posted in War on Terror | 5 Comments | View Full Posting

The Washington Examiner published an editorial this morning saying, “In an act of immense irresponsibility, House Democrats purposely left town last week without voting on the Senate version of the Protect America Act.” This bill would have passed a long-term extension of the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act, a law that allows U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor phone calls and e-mails of suspected terrorists abroad. Disappointingly, House leadership did not allow a vote on this bipartisan bill, which meant FISA expired on February 16. Congressman Culberson issued a statement last week saying, “The expiration of FISA dangerously undermines our national security and puts our country at risk. We have got to be able to listen to the terrorists.” When the House returns from recess next week, passing the Protect America Act must absolutely be the first priority.

Posted in War on Terror | 3 Comments | View Full Posting

The Iraqi parliament on Wednesday passed three key pieces of legislation that continue the process of reconciliation. The bills included a $48 billion national budget that evenly distributes spending among different ethnic groups, an amnesty bill for political prisoners, and an agreement to hold parliamentary elections by October 1. President Bush and American commanders in Iraq supported these provisions as a way to help bring peace to the region. More importantly, their passage proves that Iraqi politicians can compromise and work together to rebuild their country. It’s all just another sign that the breathing room created by American military forces under the command of General Petraeus is helping to bring stability to Iraq.

Posted in War on Terror | 0 Comments | View Full Posting

As you may have heard, last week the city council in Berkeley, California passed a resolution effectively telling the Marine Corps to get out of town. While the people of Berkeley certainly have a First Amendment right to express their opinion on the war, it does not mean the federal government should subsidize this behavior with your tax dollars. Let’s face it, if not for our men and women in uniform defending the United States, the people of Berkeley wouldn’t have any freedoms. As Senator Cornyn said last week, “If the U.S. Marines are not good enough for Berkeley, neither are their tax dollars.” In response, Congressman John Culberson just signed on to H.Res. 958, a bill that would cut federal dollars for Berkeley if they continue trying to kick out the Marines.

Posted in War on Terror | 1 Comments | View Full Posting