[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 41 (Monday, October 15, 2007)]
[Page 1320]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 
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.