On the recordMay 31, 2015
It is more essential than ever, in response to the question from the Senator from Arizona. It is more necessary than ever, as we have seen a higher threat level since 9/11. Of course, we didn't know what the threat was in 9/11, so I don't know how far we have to go back. But our intelligence today, whether it is any aspect of any of our intelligence agencies, they are sounding the alarm that we need to be as vigilant as possible. We need to, within the law--and we are operating within the law--use every tool possible to try to stop an attack on the American people. What happened on 9/11 was a catastrophe that none of us could have comprehended. A 9/11 with the possession of nuclear, radioactive, biological or chemical weapons would make New York look like just a small incident. It would be 3 million people instead of 3,000 people. I think we have an obligation to do what we can without invading anyone's privacy. What we are trying to find is this balance between protecting privacy and protecting ourselves from terrorist attacks--protecting Americans from terrorist attacks. We have done this with this program. If what has been said about this program were true, if the falsehoods that have been said were true, I would be the first to line up and say: No, we can't breach the privacy of the American people by doing what they are doing. But the fact is none of it is true. There has not been one act of abuse of this program over the years it has been in place.…
