Political Quotes

“Because I think, again, my colleague from Connecticut has spoken to what the stakes are here. For the last decade, intelligence officials have been relying on secret interpretations of their authorities that have been very different from the plain reading of public law. The public has seen the consequences of that, and they are angry because the American people know we can have policies that promote both security and liberty. I would just like to ask a question of my colleague with the respect to what the implications would be of hollowing out the good work you and Senator Leahy have done with respect to having more transparency and both sides making a case on key questions with respect to the FISA Court. I would like to note that the majority leader's second amendment delays implementation of other important reforms that you all have dealt with. For example, one question I was asked about at a townhall meeting just this past weekend in Tillamook, OR, where I was, is people were concerned about what would we do to protect our Nation when there was an emergency. You all, in your good work, have, in effect, said you would strengthen the language to make sure that when there was an emergency--government officials already can issue an emergency authorization to get the business records and you would then seek court approval, and you all strengthen that.…”