Political Quotes

“the issues surrounding implementation of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (CALEA), now nearly four years after enactment, have been especially vexing to law enforcement, the telecommunications industry, privacy groups, and to us, in Congress. Following passage of H.R. 3303, the DOJ authorization bill, in June, pressure was brought to bear on the Federal Communications Commission to extend the October 25, 1998 compliance date, mandated by CALEA, to at least June 30, 2000. Although, I am pleased that this date was extended, I am disappointed that the ``grandfather date'' for equipment cost reimbursements (January 1, 1995) will not be amended into law this year. H.R. 3303, as passed by the House, would have changed the ``grandfather date'' to October 1, 2000. I am encouraged, though, that the conferees on the omnibus appropriations bill have included report language expressing the sincere view that the DOJ, industry and Congress should develop joint recommendations to accelerate the implementation of CALEA as soon as possible at the least cost to taxpayers and consumers and to ensure that law enforcement receives the capabilities it needs to protect our society.”