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Chairman Mike Rogers and Ranking Member Dutch Ruppersberger Urge Support of Important NSA Counterterrorism Tool

               Chairman Mike Rogers and Ranking Member Dutch Ruppersberger Urge
                                   Support of Important NSA Counterterrorism Tool

“To address concerns expressed by the public and Members of Congress, the House Intelligence Committee is reviewing potential changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Any modifications should be enacted carefully and thoroughly, while ensuring that our Intelligence Community retains the tools it needs to protect America.

“An amendment to H.R. 2397, the Fiscal Year 2014 Defense Appropriations bill, to require additional certifications by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) would undermine a valuable collection tool initiated in 2001 and which Congress has voted to reauthorize multiple times with bipartisan support, most recently in 2011.  The collection tool has been integral in preventing multiple terrorist attacks, including a plot to attack on the New York Stock Exchange in 2009.  If enacted, this amendment would have an immediate – and potentially fatal – operational impact, and make America more vulnerable to terrorist attacks.   

“We must provide our Intelligence Community the capabilities necessary to defend America and its citizens, while having a robust dialogue to develop improvements to our FISA authorities.  Article I of our Constitution charges Congress with providing for the common defense.  We must continue to do so.  Premature reactions to the recent intelligence leaks would endanger our national security.  We cannot afford to make that mistake.”
 

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