Reply #123: Kennedy On The FISA Modernization Legislation

[L. Coyote]

Ted Kennedy: Kennedy On The FISA Modernization Legislation
Tue, 08/07/2007
http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48727654_ted_kennedy_ted_kennedy_kennedy_fisa_modernization_legislation


(As Prepared for Delivery)

August 3, 2007 -- "Mr./Madam President, there is general agreement on both sides of the aisle that we have a foreign intelligence surveillance problem that should be addressed. The difference between us is that on this side of the aisle we have consistently been willing to work cooperatively to solve the problem. ....

In 1976, I was the principal sponsor of the original bill that became FISA. When we first introduced the bill, we had a Democratic Congress, a Republican President, Gerald Ford, and a Republican Attorney General, Ed Levi. Attorney General Levi understood the need for Congress and the Executive Branch to work together. Members of the Judiciary Committee went down to the Justice Department at least four times to meet on the bill. There were discussions with Henry Kissinger, Don Rumsfeld, Brent Scowcroft and George Bush among others.

We worked responsibly and cooperatively to develop legislation to protect our civil liberties and ensure that the nation could use necessary surveillance. In the end, Attorney General Levi praised the bipartisan spirit of cooperation that characterized the negotiations and produced a good bill. That Administration recognized the importance of working with Congress. The final bill was passed by the Senate by a vote of 95 to 1.

As this history demonstrates, our nation is strongest when we work together for our national security. Unfortunately, the current Administration has chosen a very different course. ..........