    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [October 10, 2007]
    [Pages 1297-1298]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Intelligence Reform Legislation
    October 10, 2007

        Good morning. In August, Congress passed the Protect America Act, a
    bill to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.
    This new law strengthened our ability to collect foreign intelligence on
    terrorists overseas, and it closed a dangerous gap in our intelligence.
    Since this important measure took effect, our intelligence professionals
    have been able to gather critical information that would have been
    missed without this authority. And keeping this authority is essential
    to keeping America safe.
        Unfortunately, when Congress passed the Protect America Act, they
    set its provisions to expire in February. The problem is, the threat to
    America is not going to expire in February. So Congress must make a
    choice: Will they keep the intelligence gap closed by making this law
    permanent, or will they limit our ability to collect this intelligence
    and keep us safe, staying a step ahead of the terrorists who want to
    attack us?
        My administration will work with Members of Congress from both sides
    of the aisle to reach an agreement on a bill that will allow us to
    protect our country. The final bill must meet certain criteria. It must
    give our intelligence professionals the tools and flexibility they need
    to protect our country. It must keep the intelligence gap firmly closed
    and ensure that protections intended for the American people are not
    extended to terrorists overseas who are plotting to harm us. And it must
    grant liability protection to companies who are facing multibillion-
    dollar lawsuits only because they are believed to have assisted in the

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    efforts to defend our Nation following the 9/11 attacks.
        When Congress presents me with a bill, I will ask the Director of
    National Intelligence whether it meets
    these criteria. And if it does, I will sign it into law.
        Today the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees are
    considering a proposed bill that instead of making the Protect America
    Act permanent would take us backward. While the House bill is not final,
    my administration has serious concerns about some of its provisions, and
    I am hopeful that the deficiencies in the bill can be fixed.
        Congress and the President have no higher responsibility than
    protecting the American people from enemies who attacked our country and
    who want to do so again. Terrorists in faraway lands are plotting and
    planning new ways to kill Americans. The security of our country and the
    safety of our citizens depend on learning about their plans. The Protect
    America Act is a vital tool in stopping the terrorists, and it would be
    a grave mistake for Congress to weaken this tool.
        On another issue before Congress, I urge Members to oppose the
    Armenian genocide resolution now being considered by the House Foreign
    Affairs Committee. We all deeply regret the tragic suffering of the
    Armenian people that began in 1915, but this resolution is not the right
    response to these historic mass killings, and its passage would do great
    harm to our relations with a key ally in NATO and in the global war on
    terror.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:10 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to H. Res. 106.