Press Release - Capito Says Terrorist Surveillance Bill Appropriate Action to Protect America

Capito Says Terrorist Surveillance Bill Appropriate Action to Protect America
Capito: "We are talking about allowing the government to intercept communications of cold-blooded killers who seek to do our nation harm, not grandchildren emailing their grandmother."

WASHINGTON - Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) last night voted in favor of the Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act (H.R. 5852), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 232-191. This essential legislation will help protect our country from future terrorist attacks by making it easier to monitor terrorist communications.

Prior to voting for the legislation, Rep. Capito spoke on the House floor in its favor, saying the bill was critical to preventing future terrorist attacks against our country.

"We are at war against a sophisticated worldwide terrorist adversary that uses all the advantages modern day technology has to offer. We know that these terrorists are continuing to plot attacks against the United States, our allies, and our interests around the world. Against this backdrop, it is absolutely critical that our government have the ability to monitor electronic communications by terrorist organizations," Capito said.

The Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act updates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), bringing it in line with current technology such as the Internet and cell phones and making it "technology neutral," meaning surveillance focus will now be on the person rather than type of communication. It also removes excessive bureaucracy and streamlines the process of applying for a FISA warrant. The act establishes specific rules to govern foreign intelligence surveillance in the wake of an attack on the United States to allow the government to respond swiftly to terrorist threats, and also outlines specific rules for surveillance in the event of an imminent threat against the United States. Finally, the act increases congressional oversight and installs other safeguards to ensure that Americans' civil liberties are protected.

Rep. Capito concluded, "We are talking about allowing the government to intercept communications of cold-blooded killers who seek to do our nation harm, not grandchildren emailing their grandmother. We must not hinder the ability of this president or future presidents to monitor communication that could stop a terrorist attack and save lives."

http://capito.house.gov/press_office/detail-page.aspx?id=211&whichone=pr