On the recordSeptember 12, 2012
I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I rise in support of the FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act. This bill reauthorizes intelligence gathering capabilities that are essential to our national security while also protecting the civil liberties of Americans. The recent events in Libya, Egypt, and elsewhere should serve to remind us all that there remain forces around the world that are determined to kill Americans, injure our interests, and jeopardize our freedoms. The FAA allows us to obtain critical information about terrorist organizations, nuclear proliferation, and a host of other dangers. These authorities have produced intelligence that's vital to defending the Nation against international terrorism and other threats, which is why Attorney General Holder and DNI Clapper have called reauthorizing the FAA their top legislative priority. This bill does not authorize spying on Americans. To the contrary, the 2008 FISA Amendments Act ensured that no American, whether within the United States or overseas, would come under surveillance without a court order and a finding of probable cause. The authorities provided are narrowly tailored to the purpose of protecting the United States from those who would harm us, and I urge an ``aye'' vote.
