[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MYTH VERSUS REALITY

  (Ms. FOXX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, since the revelation of the National Security 
Agency's terrorist surveillance program, we have heard all sorts of 
hysterics from the other side of the aisle. I think now is the time to 
separate myth from reality.
  Allegations that the NSA program is illegal are a myth. The reality 
is that the President's authority to authorize this program is firmly 
based in both his constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief and in 
the authorization for use of military force which passed Congress after 
9/11.
  Allegations that the NSA program is a domestic eavesdropping program 
used to spy on innocent Americans are a myth. The reality is that this 
program is narrowly focused, aimed only at international calls and 
targeted at al Qaeda and related groups. There are safeguards in place 
to protect the civil liberties of Americans.
  Allegations that NSA activities violate the fourth amendment are a 
myth. The reality is that that program is consistent with the 
Constitution's protections of civil liberties, including fourth 
amendment protections.
  There are people who want you to believe this program is targeting 
average Americans. Nothing could be further from the truth.

                          ____________________