[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 128 (Saturday, August 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IMPROVING FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE TO DEFEND THE NATION AND 
                      THE CONSTITUTION ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                           HON. JOHN J. HALL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mr. HALL of New York. Madam Speaker, in the interest of national 
security, I reluctantly voted in favor of H.R. 3356, the Improving 
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance to Defend the Nation and the 
Constitution Act of 2007. Although I ultimately supported this bill, I 
am concerned that this bill provided expanded authority to the Attorney 
General, who I believe has previously violated U.S. law regarding the 
FISA courts and has breeched the trust of the American people. If this 
were a permanent change to law, I would have voted against it because I 
believe provisions of this bill could be abused and allow the Attorney 
General to authorize wiretaps on American citizens without a warrant. 
Since it expires in 120 days, I am willing to support it as a stop-gap 
measure. Should we hear any evidence that the Attorney General or any 
other administration official has blatantly abused provisions of H.R. 
3356, I will call for and support aggressive investigations into their 
actions.

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