Joe Lieberman: “finally, under current law, let me say that these tools are used very sparingly but effectively. I certainly do not…”

“finally, under current law, let me say that these tools are used very sparingly but effectively. I certainly do not anticipate their being used very often in our battle against terrorism, whether the terrorists be domestically or internationally inspired. However, I do want to be sure that when our law enforcement officials--fighting and working to protect our safety--need these tools, that they will be ready and waiting so that swift and certain preventive action can be taken. We owe that to our law enforcement officials. But truly more to the point, we owe it to the millions and millions of Americans, innocent people going about their daily lives, who deserve as best we are able to be protected from the hard and thoughtless hand of death that terrorism would wreak upon them. Mr. President, that concludes my statement.”