[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 108 (Thursday, July 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2014

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                               speech of

                             HON. PAUL RYAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 24, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2397) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes:

  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Madam Chair, I want to thank Representative 
Amash for offering this amendment to the Department of Defense 
Appropriations Act for 2014. We now know that the National Security 
Agency (NSA) is keeping a phone log of all calls made in the U.S. This 
issue merits heightened congressional scrutiny. We need to strike a 
balance between our efforts to prevent terrorist attacks and our 
protection of civil liberties. The committees with jurisdiction are 
conducting a thorough review--as they should. I look forward to hearing 
their recommendations.
  That said, rewriting laws--especially one that NSA Director Gen. 
Keith Alexander says is vital to our safety--is not within the scope of 
the appropriations process. I welcome further discussion about the 
scope and intent of the PATRIOT Act, and look forward to working with 
my colleagues to ensure that the law is not overly broad. So though I 
commend Mr. Amash for raising this issue, I must respectfully vote 
against his amendment.

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