[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                USA FREEDOM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2020

  Mr. McCONNELL. Now, Mr. President, on one other important matter, 
late last night, several critical authorities that law enforcement uses 
to keep Americans safe lapsed into expiration. Barring Senate action, 
these important tools, which help protect the homeland from terrorists 
and counter foreign intelligence activities on U.S. soil, will remain 
offline.
  Fortunately, in the weeks leading up to this deadline, the Attorney 
General engaged in extensive bipartisan talks with Members of the 
House--of both parties--to try to reach a solution. The resulting 
legislation, which the House passed last week by large margins within 
each party, strikes a key balance. It reauthorizes the tools which our 
national security requires, while also imposing a number of new reforms 
which basic accountability demands.
  We can't let the relative success of these tools at preserving the 
safety and security of our country mislead us to believe they are 
unnecessary. It is just the opposite. Terrorist organizations still 
search constantly for opportunities to strike on American soil. Hostile 
foreign intelligence services--whether Chinese, Russian, or Iranian--
still seek to conduct operations within our borders, to recruit assets 
and agents among our population.
  These threats will not wait around if the United States delays 
restocking our toolbox, so the Senate should not wait to act. I 
sincerely hope that even our colleagues who may wish to vote against 
the House bill will not make us prolong this brief lapse in authorities 
and that we will be able to get these tools back online this week.

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