Representative DeGette on NSA Secret Domestic Surveillance
Representative DeGette on NSA Secret Domestic Surveillance
Congresswoman Calls for Hearings into Scandal
Today, U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) responded to the revelation that the National Security Agency (NSA) has been secretly collecting the phone records of millions of Americans.
"With his latest scandal, President Bush is leading our nation dangerously close to the days of Joe McCarthy," said DeGette. "This is not some isolated instance of spying on a suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist. President Bush is collecting records of billions of domestic calls, giving them access to millions of ordinary Americans."
First reported in yesterday's USA Today, the NSA has been secretly using information provided by America's largest telephone companies including AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth to collect the phone records of tens of millions of Americans. Denver based Qwest was the only company who refused to participate.
"Qwest's refusal to participate and fold to NSA strong arm tactics is a profile in courage," said DeGette. "Just knowing that the government is spying without cause on innocent Americans sends a chilling message that nothing is private. That is why I have asked Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) of the Energy and Commerce Committee to hold a hearing to investigate these allegations. Asking these companies what personal data they gave to the NSA will help us get to the bottom of this mess."
Domestic spying allegations first surfaced in December of 2005 when the New York Times reported that President Bush secretly authorized the NSA to eavesdrop on Americans without the court-approved warrants. President Bush claimed he had authorized NSA to track only "international communications." Attorney General Alberto Gonzales claimed that safeguards were in place and that only "only international communications are authorized for interception." Secretary of State Rice claimed that the NSA was collecting limited information from people with ties to Al Qaeda.
"We can destroy Al-Qaeda without destroying our Constitution. We all want the President to have the tools to protect us from terrorists, but those tools must fit into our rule of law," said DeGette.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/co01_degette/nsa2.html