We Need a Better FISA Bill, Not More Red Tape (Rep. John Carter)

Yesterday Democrats in the House unveiled a plan to rewrite our foreign intelligence surveillance laws.  Their proposal, which is scheduled to sunset in 2009, requires our intelligence community to obtain FISA court orders for foreign communications of people reasonably believed to be outside the United States.  It is important to note that since FISA was enacted in 1978, the government has never been required to acquire court orders for these types of communications.

The House voted in August to temporarily close the dangerous terrorist loophole and update the FISA bill after Democratic leaders delayed the critical measure for months.  The original legislation, although a temporary fix, was good policy endorsed by our nation’s top intelligence officer.  Now, instead of putting forth policy that would permanently fix the holes in FISA, the Democrats have put forth a proposal that does nothing to address the issue at hand, but instead creates more red tape and puts up more hurdles for our intelligence community to jump.

I am fully prepared to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support FISA legislation that closes the terrorist loophole and gives our intelligence community the tools they need to keep America safe.  Rather than create a bureaucratic nightmare that does nothing to stop our enemies, Congress should be working together to ensure the safety of this country.