    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [January 24, 2008]
    [Pages 110-111]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Congressional Action on Intelligence Reform Legislation
    January 24, 2008

        Last August, Congress passed the Protect America Act, which updated
    our foreign intelligence surveillance law to adapt to today's technology
    and to meet today's threats. This bipartisan legislation has aided our
    efforts to monitor the communications of terrorists and other foreign
    intelligence targets.
        Unfortunately, Congress set this legislation to expire on February
    1st. That is just 8 days from today, yet the threat from Al Qaida will
    not expire in 8 days.
        If Congress does not act quickly, our national security
    professionals will not be able to count on critical tools they need to
    protect our Nation, and our ability to respond quickly to new threats
    and circumstances will be weakened. That means it will become harder to
    figure out what our enemies are doing to recruit terrorists and
    infiltrate them into our country.
        Last fall, the Senate Intelligence Committee completed its work on a
    bipartisan bill to modernize our foreign intelligence surveillance law.
    I commend Senators Rockefeller and Bond, the
    committee's chairman and vice chairman, for leading the effort to
    complete work on this bill.
        The Senate Intelligence Committee's bill contains many provisions
    that our intelligence officials say they need to protect our country.
    The bill would maintain the vital flow of intelligence on terrorist
    threats. It would protect the freedoms of Americans while making sure we
    do not extend those same protections to terrorists overseas. And it
    would provide liability protection to companies now facing billion-
    dollar lawsuits only because they are believed to have assisted in
    efforts to defend our Nation following the 9/11 attacks.
        This bill still needs some changes, but I am optimistic that with
    good will on both sides, we can make those changes quickly. So I ask
    congressional leaders to follow the course set by their colleagues on
    the Senate Intelligence Committee, bring this legislation to a prompt
    vote in both houses, and send me a bill that I can sign before the
    Protect America Act expires on February 1st.

    [[Page 111]]

        Congress's action--or lack of action--on this important issue will
    directly affect our ability to keep Americans safe.