Comment Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),

Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee,

On The Senate’s Consideration Of Legislation
To Amend The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

December 14, 2007

“The Senate should act to add protections for Americans’ rights that were not included in the Protect America Act.  I have been consulting with Leader Reid and Chairman Rockefeller about how to proceed, and support the decision to proceed by regular order. Senator Reid is right to bring this legislation to the floor and is doing so in a way that allows consideration of the many improvements made by the bill reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee.  I oppose retroactive immunity for the telephone companies that would eliminate the courts as a check on the illegality of the warrantless wiretapping of Americans that the administration secretly engaged in for almost six years.  I will continue to work to ensure that the government is held accountable for its actions and that those whose rights were infringed not be left out in the cold.  I look forward to a vigorous debate next week and to seeking to make the final bill considered by the Senate as good as it can be.”

 

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