Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I oppose this amendment. When 702 was drafted in 2008, the telecom world was very different than it is today. Things like cloud and data centers didn't exist.
I disagree with my colleague's definition of the amendment. I have a letter here from the Attorney General that says that under this new definition, section 702 could never be used to target any entity inside the United States, including, for example, business, home, or place of worship. I will work with colleagues to further refine this definition within the IAA bill that we take up this year.
I yield the balance of my time to Senator Rubio.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise in opposition to this amendment. This amendment would have the effect of basically destroying section 702.
Unfortunately, over the last 20 years--Anwar al-Awlaki, Robert Hanssen, Faisal Shahzad--there have been a number of American citizens who created terrorists acts that 702 has been used for.
As a matter of fact, many times, when you start the investigation, you don't know if the individual is an American or a foreigner. I respectfully ask us to defeat the amendment and give the balance of my time to Senator Rubio.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, this is the last amendment. If we can get this bill passed before 12 midnight, we will meet our goal. I commit to working with all to make sure that we continue to review the amicus proceedings in the next Intel authorization. So I urge Senators to reject the amendment. Vote on Amendment No. 1840
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WARNER. I thank Senator Schumer.
I just want to say I know these issues are tough. I appreciate all of the members of the Intelligence Committee, particularly Senator Rubio.
For the areas that still need improvement, we commit to work with you to make this incredibly important tool more efficiently and effectively overseen as well.
I urge adoption of the bill.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source