[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 129 (Tuesday, September 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


PROVIDING FOR CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 3311, AUTHORIZING 
ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS AND RECONSTRUCTION OF INTERSTATE 
  I-35 BRIDGE IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA; MAKING IN ORDER AT ANY TIME 
 CONSIDERATION OF S. 1927, PROTECT AMERICA ACT OF 2007; AND MAKING IN 
  ORDER AT ANY TIME CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3222, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Saturday, August 4, 2007

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1927, a temporary 
bill to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, FISA, 
to provide procedures for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign 
intelligence information.
  As a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, I know that the 
recent National Intelligence Estimate contains a stark warning about 
our vulnerability to terrorist attacks. S. 1927 intends to fill an 
intelligence gap that exists in the original FISA law and due in part 
to a recent court ruling regarding the surveillance of foreign 
suspects. S. 1927 seeks to make clear the procedures for obtaining 
warrants for the surveillance of domestic and foreign terrorist 
suspects. Reform in the intelligence-gathering arena is particularly 
necessary as the worlds of technology and communications rapidly 
change. Clearer laws and boundaries enable our intelligence agencies to 
respond swiftly against terror suspects.
  Although I believe in providing our intelligence agencies with the 
necessary tools to protect our Nation from terrorism, I am also 
concerned that we do so without limiting Americans' liberties and 
rights to privacy. Because of the seriousness of the threats we face, 
we cannot delay in giving needed direction to our intelligence 
agencies. However, I share many of my colleagues' concerns with this 
bill. While S. 1927 includes a provision to sunset in 6 months, I 
support Speaker Pelosi's call to the House Committee on the Judiciary 
and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to revisit 
this issue as soon as possible when Congress reconvenes. Congress 
should continue to work to find a balance between protecting our 
Nation, and protecting the freedoms that have made our Nation great.

                          ____________________