[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT (FISA) OF 2008

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                          HON. BOBBY L. RUSH--

                              of illinois-

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 4, 2008

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I would like to voice my support for H.R. 
3773, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. There is no more important 
responsibility that Congress is charged with than protecting the 
American people. H.R. 3773 seeks to find that most critical balance 
between protecting our security and protecting our liberty.
  Without the proposed amendments, FISA Act creates a new ``blanket'' 
warrant program that would allow the government to conduct surveillance 
on groups of foreign targets who may contact U.S. persons, including 
surveillance of communications to and by such U.S. persons. The new 
blanket surveillance program authorized in H.R. 3773 allows the 
Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General to apply for 
authority to conduct surveillance of foreign targets, or groups of 
foreign targets for up to 1 year or longer if necessary.
  Additionally, the FISA Act allows the DNI and the Attorney General to 
begin surveillance activities without a warrant if they jointly believe 
that there is an emergency situation requiring surveillance to commence 
before a warrant could be issued.
  This legislation allows our intelligence agencies to do their job 
effectively without trampling on the civil liberties that are the 
bedrock of our great society. I hold the principles outlined in our 
Constitution dear and I will not give up those freedoms easily for a 
false sense of security. It is time for Congress to stand up for the 
morals and values that have made this country great, instead of rubber-
stamping the policies of the current Administration, which have already 
cost this country enormously.
  I urge all of my colleagues to end the political posturing and join 
me in support of H.R. 3773 so we can ensure that our national security 
and our civil liberties are protected.

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