[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 11, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H1450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  FISA

  (Mr. YARMUTH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, House Democrats are fully committed to 
ensuring that the FISA law is focused on giving the intelligence 
community the tools it needs to protect our national security at the 
same time protecting the constitutional rights of innocent Americans.
  We've already passed the RESTORE Act, which modernizes FISA, to 
address these two critical needs. Today, congressional leaders continue 
to negotiate differences between our bill and a bill passed by the 
Senate earlier this year. If congressional Republicans were really 
concerned about our Nation's national security, you would think they 
would be sitting at the negotiating table ensuring their concerns are 
addressed. They've been asked to join the talks, but to date they have 
refused.
  And National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell says that the 
President is holding up the legislation in order to get blanket 
immunity for the telecommunications industry.
  Madam Speaker, congressional Democrats are committed to strengthening 
our intelligence community to keep our country safe. And we urge 
Republicans to put aside partisan politics and work with us on this 
important piece of legislation.

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