John Chandler: “while I am pleased to stand here today and support the RESTORE Act of 2007 because I believe it is critical as part of…”

“while I am pleased to stand here today and support the RESTORE Act of 2007 because I believe it is critical as part of our nation's defense, I urge us to work together in the coming weeks to end the uncertainty facing some of our corporate citizens in dealing with the threat posed by Islamic fundamentalists. Particularly, I am referring to our nation's telecommunications carriers, companies that historically have been a critical piece of our successful national security apparatus. These U.S. companies, who combined employ well over half a million Americans, should be treated with appreciation for the cooperation they display in the effort to keep our people safe. In the confusion and muddied backdrop of the debate, what has clearly been left aside is the longstanding and consistent policy of Congress and the courts that governs the way these companies may lawfully provide assistance to law enforcement and intelligence agencies. This policy is that telecommunications carriers are authorized to assist government agencies in a wide variety of circumstances; public policy encourages such cooperation; and, consistent with that policy, when a carrier cooperates in good faith with a duly authorized request for assistance, the carrier is immune from liability to third-parties. In the interest of our nation's security, these carriers should continue to have immunity when cooperating in good faith.”