Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., On FISA Fix Proposal

[babylonsister]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/016094.php

Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.,
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
On FISA Fix Proposal
August 1, 2007

“The Congress is willing and able to responsibly reform FISA when changes are needed, and now is such a time. In the last decade alone, Congress has amended FISA on many occasions, and I believe we should make this targeted and responsible fix now. The reform we have proposed to the Administration will improve the government’s ability to collect intelligence, while protecting the civil liberties of Americans by maintaining oversight of the FISA Court when calls to or from the United States are involved. The Administration, instead, would shift this oversight role and additional authority away from the expert FISA Court to the Attorney General. It is essential to preserve the crucial role of the FISA Court in protecting civil liberties of Americans while providing our intelligence agencies the flexibility they need. It is not wise to expand the authority of this Attorney General – or any Attorney General – in this regard. I urge the Administration to support this reasonable solution that ensures checks and balances while strengthening our national security.”

[Subdivisions]

1. The game is afoot!

A brilliant play by Leahy!

[bonito]

2. It's good to hear this from Leahy

Thank for posting this with so much going on.:crazy:

[rudy23]

3. It is a brilliant play--if we get tough on ILLEGAL spying AND get tough with our legal spying

That's exactly what Leahy's statement says.

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. Smart man." It is not wise to expand the authority of this Attorney General" K & R! n/t

[formercia]

5. Giving the power to Gonzo was the whole point of this exercise.

IMHO

[lala_rawraw]

6. Nothing in Fisa needs fixing that the impeachment of Cheney

cannot fix