Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2007

Floor Speech

Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business for up to 10 minutes.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT

Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I come to the floor to express grave concern at reports that I hear out of the House of Representatives that they intend to adjourn and basically go on vacation for the next week or so without taking action on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act reauthorization. That, of course, is the legislation we passed out of the Senate that provides the eyes and the ears for the intelligence community in the United States to detect and to deter future terrorist attacks against the United States.

To me, it is unthinkable that the House of Representatives would adjourn and be so irresponsible as to leave this unfinished business undone and to leave America unprotected against future terrorist attacks. I know there is an argument that existing surveillance could be continued for up to a year. But what we are talking about is new contacts, new information that the intelligence community gets that would be impeded, impaired, and blocked by the failure of the House of Representatives to act on this critical piece of legislation that will expire on February 15 unless they act today or tomorrow. So it is the height of irresponsibility. I find myself questioning whether it could possibly be true that would happen.

Also, one important part of the Senate legislation was to provide protection for the telecommunications carriers that may have cooperated with the U.S. Government shortly after September 11, 2001, in providing the means to listen in to al-Qaida and other foreign terrorists who were plotting and planning attacks against the United States and its citizens.

I think it is a terrible message from the House of Representatives, if they are not going to act in a way that provides protection for those citizens, whether they be individual citizens or corporate citizens, who are asked by their country to come to the aid of the American people and provide the means to protect them from terrorist attacks. What kind of message does that send, that we are going to basically leave them out twisting slowly in the wind and being left to the litigation--some 40 different lawsuits that have been filed against the telecommunications industry that may have cooperated with the Federal Government in protecting the American people. This is on a request at the highest levels, from the Commander in Chief, and upon a certification by the chief law enforcement officer of the United States, the Attorney General.

What they were being asked to do was entirely appropriate and within the bounds of the law. But then, when the litigation ensues, to basically leave them hanging out to dry would be wrong. The Senate wisely addressed that issue. But if the House adjourns without passing the Senate version of the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which includes protection for the telecommunications industry that may have participated in this lawful exercise of our powers to protect our country, it would again be the height of irresponsibility and send the message that next time a citizen, whether it is a corporate or individual citizen, is asked to come to the aid of their country, you better think twice and consult your lawyers because you are going to get sued and the Congress is not going to take appropriate measures to make sure those who helped protect the safety and security of the American public are protected.

Finally, I don't have the information in front of me right now, but there are substantial news reports that indicate that a group of trial lawyers who stand to make considerable amounts of money in terms of legal fees off this litigation are substantial contributors to Members of Congress. I hope the evidence does not develop that there are decisions being made in the House of Representatives on the basis of the interests of special interest groups such as trial lawyers who stand to gain financially from continuing this litigation that should be brought to an end here and now.

I am here primarily to voice my grave concern that while the Senate has acted responsibly--I know not everybody is happy with the outcome--to address this issue, if the House of Representatives leaves town and leaves this matter undone, the security of the American people is in peril, and it would be a tragedy indeed if something were to happen as a result of our intelligence community being blind or deaf to the dangers that do work both within our shores and beyond.

I yield the floor.

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