[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4647-S4648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT OF THE NSA PROGRAM

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, last week USA Today reported that the Bush 
administration may be collecting the phone records of millions of 
Americans. The administration's efforts to monitor activities of 
American citizens appeared to be far broader than President Bush had 
previously acknowledged.
  Not surprisingly, Democratic and Republican Members of Congress have 
expressed concerns about this report and indicated they have sought 
more information about this program. Several Members made it clear that 
General Hayden would be required to answer questions about this program 
as part of his confirmation process.
  Late yesterday, the Senate was informed that the administration 
agreed to brief all members of the Senate Intelligence Committee on the 
President's authorization of NSA warrantless surveillance programs, 
including clarifying whether the reports in USA Today are accurate. 
This new overture to the Senate on one aspect of the administration's 
overall efforts is a welcome development. I hope this action has more 
to do with a newfound interest to keep Congress fully informed than 
about its concerns regarding their nomination for CIA Director. I am 
surprised it has taken so long, and so much tugging and pulling, to get 
the administration to at least this point. It is, quite simply, 
required by law under the National Security Act of 1947 and by the 
Senate's own rules. So it really is about time.
  Chairman Roberts approached me on the floor yesterday to tell me 
about these new developments. The Senator from Kansas and I have had 
our differences and will continue to have those differences over the 
conduct of the Intelligence Committee's investigation of the 
administration's misuse of intelligence on Iraq. Senator Roberts and I 
spent many good years together as the chairman and vice chairman, back 
and forth--whatever the leadership was in the Senate--on the Ethics 
Committee. We had a good relationship. That is going to override all 
the negativity we have had on this Intelligence Committee stonewalling 
we have had.
  In the instance about this NSA wiretapping, I appreciate Chairman 
Roberts' acknowledgment that the Senate needs more information on these 
programs and the role the President has played in this. I appreciate 
very much the work by the Chairman and the hard work by Vice Chairman 
Rockefeller to step forward to allow all members of the Intelligence 
Committee to know what is going on or attempt to get to know what is 
going on. It is important

[[Page S4648]]

for everyone in this Chamber and for the administration to recognize 
that this briefing on this single issue is very necessary but not 
sufficient for the American people to have confidence that their 
Government is not only protecting them from terrorists but also 
respecting their constitutional rights.
  Clearly, Senators need to know a lot more about the domestic 
surveillance program, and I hope today's briefing accomplishes that 
objective. But just as clearly, Senators need to know a lot more about 
other important issues: misuse of intelligence, selective leaking, 
damage to the CIA.
  I hope the administration's offer yesterday is the first of their 
efforts to inform Congress, not the last.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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