Mike Pence: “I rise in support of the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. America is at war. We have to do all we can to protect our Nation…”

“I rise in support of the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. America is at war. We have to do all we can to protect our Nation from those who seek to harm this country, our communities and our families. After nearly a year of delays, we finally have before us a bill that will institute a long-term fix to our Nation's foreign intelligence surveillance laws and provide the intelligence community with the tools it needs to protect this country. I rise in particular appreciation of Republican Whip Roy Blunt, Ranking Member Smith and Mr. Hoekstra. These Republicans stood firm and have succeeded in negotiating a strong 4-year extension to our surveillance laws. While this bill is tough on terrorists, it includes strong protections for civil liberties and Americans that have also been put in place by extensive measures of oversight and review in the Department of Justice, and it protects those patriotic telecommunications companies who assisted the Federal Government in the wake of 9/11. While I endorse these reforms and safeguards, let me say, Madam Speaker, Congress and future administrations must be vigilant to ensure that the exigent circumstances exceptions are practiced in a way that preserves Presidential discretion when conducting real-time foreign intelligence.”