[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING OUR NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED

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                     HON. CHARLES W. BOUSTANY, JR.

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I rise to support the bipartisan Senate-
passed update to the Foreign Intelligence and Surveillance Act, a chief 
component of national intelligence.
  Three weeks have passed since our national security community lost 
the ability to track valuable intelligence without going through slow 
and burdensome bureaucratic hurdles. That's more than 3 weeks of 
terrorist communications that cannot be recovered. Yet, the Democratic 
House leadership under Speaker Nancy Pelosi refuses to debate a bi-
partisan Senate bill, which would give intelligence officials expanded 
authority to track terrorists outside of the United States. Since 
August last year, a temporary set of new laws authorized this program, 
but it expired on February 15, 2008.
  Violent extremists operating around the world have one aim--kill 
Americans. I am committed to providing responsible and appropriate 
tools to our intelligence community to protect and defend Americans at 
home and abroad. It is not a coincidence that the U.S. has not been 
attacked at home since September 11, 2001. American intelligence 
officers protected us, and Congress must provide the tools and 
techniques they need to meet the long-term challenges that remain. 
Those standing on the frontlines battling these terrorists must have 
the ability to quickly intercept foreign communications to stop 
terrorists.
  The Democratic leadership in the House has said, ``there is no 
urgency'' on updating our Nation's intelligence laws. I vehemently 
disagree, allowing this law to expire is completely irresponsible. I 
will continue to stand up for our men and women who defend us against 
future terrorist attacks.
  I urge my colleagues to adopt the Senate-passed bill to expedite this 
necessary and timely update to the FISA law. Another day should not 
pass without our passing this bill.

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