National Security

The Global War on Terror is not over. The battle continues and must be won.  As the situation in Iraq improves and the situation in Afghanistan becomes troublesome, it is important that the Congress exercises a healthy review of the President’s war policies. I agree with the President that more troops are needed in Afghanistan; however the situation is not that simple.

Afghanistan is a much larger country than Iraq with a much more rugged terrain. Further, the "surge" strategy that was successful in Iraq involved more than just sending more troops to the region. It was a comprehensive strategy that involved, among other things, relocating the troops to more tactical locations to reassure the citizens of Iraq that the Coalition forces were trustworthy and would not abandoned them. When this happened, the Iraqis began cooperating with our troops, terrorists were captured, and stability began to take hold.

While the strategy in Iraq cannot and should not be exactly replicated in Afghanistan, I am very confident in the ability of our military leadership and the determination of our military men and women on the ground. As the weeks and months progress and the battle continues in Afghanistan, you may rest assured that I will be closely watching.

Having served alongside them myself, I often reflect on the tremendous valor and sacrifice that the brave men and women of our armed forces demonstrate on a daily basis. I will ensure they have the resources they need to win, and will continue to pray for their safety and success.

NSA Surveillance and Privacy

As you may know, the House recently passed a bill to fund the Department of Defense.  There was a great deal of debate and focus on an amendment offered by Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) to block a National Security Agency (NSA) data collection program that would dramatically restructure how our intelligence community gathers information. 

Let's be clear on what this program does and doesn't do. It does collect telephone metadata on foreigners calling into the US, such as telephone numbers dialed and length of calls. It does not track individual names, content of phone calls, or cell phone location information. This technology tool was designed to better track vulnerabilities between foreign and domestic counterterrorism efforts that were exposed in the 9/11 attacks. This program does not undermine your personal privacy. It is a critical tool, which allows the government to protect its citizens from external terrorist threats.

The data acquired under this program may be accessed only when there is a reasonable suspicion that a caller is associated with specific foreign terrorist organizations. This program is reviewed and approved by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court every 90 days and all data must be destroyed within 5 years.

In classified briefings, we've seen how this critical tool has helped combat terrorist threats. Congressman Amash shared with me why he felt the need for this amendment.  I agree with him that individual privacy is critically important,but I do not agree that this program violates an innocent person’s privacy. Halting this program only undermines our ability to prevent another 9/11 attack.  On September 10, 2001, our intelligence community had information about potential attacks, but had no legal authority to share that information between agencies or connect the dots in advance.

We need the appropriate balance between national security and privacy protections. Congress fully intends to continue the debate on the NSA surveillance programs. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers promised to address privacy concerns during the intelligence authorization process in the fall. While some people may disagree with my view, I will continue to do all I can to protect all Americans from the threat of terrorism. There will be other opportunities to debate issues like this and we will continue to work to maintain the right balance between security and privacy.

Olson National Security Op/Eds:

Failure in Benghazi - The Hill 11/05/2012

US falling behind in battle for ultimate high ground – space - The Hill 3/28/2012

A Sept. 11 Remembrance - Bay Area Citizen 9/9/11

Defense and Foreign Affairs Bills Supported by Rep. Olson:

1. H.RES.36: Establishing a select committee to investigate and report on the attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Sponsor: Rep Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA-10] (introduced 1/18/2013)       Cosponsors: 48

2. H.R.673: North Korea Sanctions and Diplomatic Nonrecognition Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27] (introduced 2/13/2013)       Cosponsors: 13

3. H.R.850: Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-39] (introduced 2/27/2013)       Cosponsors: 210

4. H.RES.86: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Dr. Shakil Afridi is an American hero and that he should be immediately released from custody by Pakistan.

Sponsor: Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-48] (introduced 2/27/2013)       Cosponsors: 16

5. H.RES.89: Condemning the attack on Iranian dissidents living at Camp Hurriya, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Poe, Ted [R-TX-2] (introduced 2/28/2013)       Cosponsors: 33

6. H.R. 938: United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27] (introduced 3/4/2013)       Cosponsors: 145

7. H.R. 1130: Iron Dome Support Act

Sponsor: Rep Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53] (introduced 3/13/2013)       Cosponsors: 72

8. H.CON.RES.23: Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the conditions for the United States becoming a signatory to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, or to any similar agreement on the arms trade.

Sponsor: Rep Kelly, Mike [R-PA-3] (introduced 3/13/2013)       Cosponsors: 127

9. H.R.1417: Border Security Results Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10] (introduced 4/9/2013)       Cosponsors: 20

10. H.CON.RES.30: Recognizing the 65th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel.

Sponsor: Rep Radel, Trey [R-FL-19] (introduced 4/10/2013)       Cosponsors: 157

11. H.RES.147: Calling for the release of United States citizen Saeed Abedini and condemning the Government of Iran for its persecution of religious minorities.

Sponsor: Rep Cassidy, Bill [R-LA-6] (introduced 4/10/2013)       Cosponsors: 65

12. H.R.1764: Ammunition Management for More Obtainability Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3] (introduced 4/26/2013)       Cosponsors: 27

13. H.R.1771: North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-39] (introduced 4/26/2013)       Cosponsors: 124

14. H.R.1904: Oversight of Sensitive Military Operations Act

Sponsor: Rep Thornberry, Mac [R-TX-13] (introduced 5/9/2013)       Cosponsors: 45

15. H.RES.281: Expressing concern over persistent and credible reports of systematic, state-sanctioned organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners of conscience, in the People's Republic of China, including from large numbers of Falun Gong practitioners imprisoned for their religious beliefs, and members of other religious and ethnic minority groups.

Sponsor: Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27] (introduced 6/27/2013)       Cosponsors: 112

16. H.RES.284: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to promoting energy security of European allies through opening up the Southern Gas Corridor.

Sponsor: Rep Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10] (introduced 6/27/2013)       Cosponsors: 35

17. H.RES.293: Expressing support for designation of August 2013 as "Blue Star Mothers of America Month"

Sponsor: Rep LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1] (introduced 7/9/2013)       Cosponsors: 93

18. H.R.2638: Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Poe, Ted [R-TX-2] (introduced 7/10/2013)       Cosponsors: 13

19. H.R.2717: United States-Israel Missile Defense Cooperation Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Roskam, Peter J. [R-IL-6] (introduced 7/17/2013)       Cosponsors: 40

20. H.R.3026: Armed Services Always Paid Act

Sponsor: Rep Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1] (introduced 8/2/2013)       Cosponsors: 23

21. H.R.3111: To declare the November 5, 2009, attack at Fort Hood, Texas, a terrorist attack, and to ensure that the victims of the attack and their families receive the same honors and benefits as those Americans who have been killed or wounded in a combat zone overseas and their families.

Sponsor: Rep Carter, John R. [R-TX-31] (introduced 9/17/2013)       Cosponsors: 119