OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

FISA Bill Strikes Right Balance

Statement

Date: March 14, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security

DeGette (D-CO) today released the below statement as she voted in favor of H.R. 3773, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, which protects America while protecting Americans' civil liberties. The legislation passed by a vote of 213 to 197.

"I was proud to vote in favor of the FISA Amendments Act, which strikes the right balance in the war on terror. Like all Americans, I believe we must do all we can to protect ourselves from terrorism. This bill makes necessary improvements to rules regarding intelligence gathering, while at the same time it protects Americans' privacy and civil liberties.

"I have consistently opposed granting the telecommunications companies who allegedly cooperated with the Bush Administration's warrantless wiretapping program blanket retroactive immunity. This bill does not do that - it only gives these companies an opportunity to assert their defenses in court, allowing justice to be served.

"It is my hope that we can develop a final bill with the Senate, and I look forward to getting this bill enacted into law quickly."


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