[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 115 (Monday, July 14, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S6646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FISA ADMENDMENTS ACT

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, the Congressional Record for 
July 9, 2008, inadvertently omitted my written statement for the 
Record. The text is as follows:
  Mr. President, I believe that we must pass a new FISA bill that 
enables our intelligence community to get the information it needs to 
stop terrorist plots while also protecting our civil liberties, by 
requiring a court order before any American is targeted for 
eavesdropping.
  But I don't believe in blanket immunity for the phone companies. 
That's why, in the Intelligence Committee, I offered language to deny 
immunity to the telecommunications companies for their alleged 
participation in the President's warrantless wiretapping program. But 
that amendment failed--and failed miserably.
  During floor consideration of the FISA bill, Senator Feinstein and I 
offered a compromise amendment that would have required the FISA court 
to review the actions of telecommunication companies who participated 
in the President's warrantless wiretapping program. But it failed too.
  Now I am backing an amendment by Senator Bingaman that would at least 
delay immunity until the inspectors general of the U.S. Government 
complete their investigation of the President's warrantless wiretapping 
program. Upon completion of the report, the Senate will have ninety 
days to act before immunity is granted to the telecommunications 
companies. This will allow us time to change some minds if real 
wrongdoing is found.
  Overall, I believe this legislation significantly improves civil 
liberties protections for Americans while enabling our intelligence 
community to listen in on terrorists. This is an important step forward 
and I will support this legislation.

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