[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PROTECT AMERICA ACT OF 2007 EXTENSION

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                               speech of

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2008

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5104, 
the Protect America Act Extension, which will extend the authorization 
for the administration's warrantless wiretapping program for another 15 
days. I voted against the Protect America Act when it passed in August 
2007 because I believe it violates the Constitution and undermines 
Americans' fundamental civil liberties. Today, I cannot support 
extending this unconstitutional program for another 15 days.
  The Protect America Act (PAA) abandoned the protections of Americans' 
rights and freedoms that were the hallmark of the Foreign Intelligence 
Surveillance Act (FISA), which became law in 1978. FISA was established 
in response to past abuses of electronic surveillance by 
Administrations who justified wiretaps under national security 
concerns. Surveillance was to be subjected to court oversight, where 
warrants would be required if an Administration sought surveillance of 
Americans.
  We live in a dangerous world and we must protect our country from 
terrorist attacks. However, commitment to the rule of law, consumer 
privacy, freedom from unwarranted government intrusion, and our system 
of checks and balances should never be sacrificed to accommodate an 
Administration determined to expand its own powers. Instead of 
extending the PAA for another 15 days, we should be modernizing FISA to 
accommodate new technologies while requiring that surveillance of 
American citizens is always subject to court oversight and in 
compliance with the 4th Amendment. This is the only way to protect 
America and American freedoms.

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