[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 27 (Monday, July 14, 2008)]
[Page 975]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Intelligence Reform Legislation

July 9, 2008

    Today the United States Congress passed a vital piece of legislation 
that will make it easier for this administration and future 
administrations to protect the American people. This vital intelligence 
bill will allow our national security professionals to quickly and 
effectively monitor the plans of terrorists outside the United States, 
while respecting the liberties of the American people.
    This legislation is critical to America's safety; it is long 
overdue. Months ago, my administration set out key criteria that this 
intelligence legislation would have to have before I would sign it into 
law. The Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence report 
that the bill Congress passed today meets these criteria, and therefore, 
I will soon sign the bill into law.
    This bill will help our intelligence professionals learn who the 
terrorists are talking to, what they're saying, and what they're 
planning. It will ensure that those companies whose assistance is 
necessary to protect the country will, themselves, be protected from 
lawsuits for past or future cooperation with the Government. It will 
uphold our most solemn obligation as officials of the Federal Government 
to protect the American people.
    I want to thank the members of my administration who worked hard to 
get this legislation passed. I thank the Democratic and Republican 
leadership in the Congress for their efforts, particularly House 
Majority Leader Hoyer, House Republican Whip Blunt, Senators Bond and 
Rockefeller, Congressmen Hoekstra, Reyes, and Smith.
    This legislation shows that even in an election year, we can come 
together and get important pieces of legislation passed.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 4:01 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Attorney General Michael B. 
Mukasey. Due to the 13-hour time difference, these remarks were made 
after those to the White House press pool in Toyako, Japan.