Max Baucus: “Mr. President, yesterday the Director of National Intelligence came to Capitol Hill and implored Congress once again to…”

“Mr. President, yesterday the Director of National Intelligence came to Capitol Hill and implored Congress once again to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He was echoing the warnings of the entire intelligence community, which has told us that current law--current law--prevents us from collecting a significant amount of intelligence that could be vital in protecting us from another terrorist attack. The latest National Intelligence Estimate makes clear that the greatest terrorist threat to the United States is al-Qaida. Their intent to attack us is undiminished since 9/11. They have gained recruits and strength in the Middle East. They continue to adapt and improve their capabilities, and we must continue to adapt and improve our ability to swiftly detect their movements and their plots. One of the most effective tools we have had in doing this over the last 6 years is our electronic surveillance program. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act gives us the legal framework for monitoring terrorists electronically without impinging on the civil liberties of Americans. But the law is badly out of date.”