I think we are denying democracy its voice by not allowing the Members who represent the American people the opportunity to vote on the Protect America Act and to make that act permanent. This statute was never intended to apply to overseas intelligence. It was solely intended to apply to agents of a foreign power who were in the United States. This is a very dangerous game, and it's probably the most important debate that I've seen since I have been elected to the Congress. By allowing the Protect America Act to expire, by walking away from this Chamber 10 days ago and doing nothing about that, we see what the consequences are. We have heard the letters from the Director of Intelligence, from the Attorney General, and the failure now to be able to capture critical intelligence overseas.
Representative Heather Wilson: “I think we are denying democracy its voice by not allowing the Members who represent the American people the opportunity…”
Editor's note · Context
Discussing the importance of the Protect America Act and its implications for intelligence gathering.
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