[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 27, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H1079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  BALANCING SECURITY WITH CIVIL RIGHTS

  (Mr. SESTAK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SESTAK. Mr. Speaker, when 9/11 happened, we, as a Nation, 
realized that, while we used to like away games, we liked our wars over 
there, suddenly we were confronted with a home game, a danger right 
here in America. And so the discussion over the last few weeks over the 
wiretapping capability of the United States is absolutely critical. I 
know. I headed, after 9/11, the Navy's Antiterrorism Unit.
  When the bill came over here from the Senate, we asked for what we 
should have done. Time to address two important issues. One, what's the 
proper oversight that we should have on those who wiretap? An Inspector 
General, a report to Congress and to the Surveillance Court. And 
second, amnesty. Do we give someone who has broken the law, the 
telecommunication companies, amnesty for facilitating wiretapping? We 
may. But first let us know, before you give someone amnesty, why they 
did it and what they did.
  In short, right now we're operating under the same rules as President 
Reagan had, as the first President Bush and the second President Bush 
had for 6\1/2\ years. Now we need to compromise on both sides to ensure 
that our security is balanced with proper civil rights.

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