John Drake: “it has now been nearly 3 weeks since the Democrat majority allowed the Protect America Act to expire, and we have yet to…”

“it has now been nearly 3 weeks since the Democrat majority allowed the Protect America Act to expire, and we have yet to address the resulting gap in our intelligence. That is 18 days that our intelligence professionals have been denied the information that according to the Director of National Intelligence is needed to keep our country safe. I believe that most Members on the other side of the aisle share my concern although, sadly, there are others who do not. So, here we are in a political year, working Tuesday through Thursday, and one of the most important pieces of legislation is blocked from this floor. Why? Because it will pass. In 2001, we asked the telecommunications industry to assist our intelligence experts in tracking terrorist movements, but now an army of trial lawyers are waiting to sue them for their patriotic acts. It is time the Democrat leadership moves this bill and gives our intelligence community the tools they need to protect America.”