James A. Leach: “Madam Chairman, let me just first thank all associated with this process. My colleagues have had varied perspectives…”

“Madam Chairman, let me just first thank all associated with this process. My colleagues have had varied perspectives, and this is a very controversial bill. The staff has been extraordinarily professional. I personally believe that the committee staff that the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) and I have is as good a staff as any in the history of the Congress. We have also enjoyed working with the committee staff of the Committee on Commerce, which does not quite meet that standard, because we have the highest standard, but we appreciate working with the committee staff of the Committee on Commerce. Let me also say that there are some perspectives that have been presented in a contrasting way that on many of the underlying philosophical aspects there is total consensus in this body. The intent of this legislation is dramatic in the area of privacy. It will be inconceivable to bring forth a law that will do anything except bolster privacy. There is no intent in this law of any nature to undercut executive discretion, which may arise later this summer if certain follow-on legislation does not arise in a timely fashion from another committee of jurisdiction. In any regard, I am personally convinced that, in any historical landscape of consideration, this is the right bill at the right time.”