On the recordDecember 27, 2012
Absent the information we are seeking to get under the amendment I am going to offer, I do not think it is possible for a Senator to respond to the question. The issue for an individual Senator would be: Do you know whether anyone has ever estimated how many U.S. phone calls and e-mails have been warrantlessly collected under the statute? Do you know whether any wholly domestic phone calls and e-mails have been collected under this statute, which I believe is the exact question my colleague from Oregon has asked. I do not believe a Member of the Senate can answer that question. Being unable to answer that question means that oversight, which is so often trumpeted on both sides of the aisle, is toothless when it comes to the specifics. I hope that responds to my colleague's question.
