We commend Senator Wyden for convening discussions and negotiations that resulted in this legislation.

I appreciate the leadership, energy and effort that went into developing this legislation.

Bringing both sides together to craft this bill means that it can bring success and in my view, help end the timber wars that have been so hard on my home state.

The subcommittee will come to order. The purpose of today's hearing is to receive testimony on several bills pending before the subcommittee.

I very much share your view.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify. We look forward to working with Senator Wyden and the Committee to address the needs of La Pine, Oregon.

We would like to work with Senator Wyden and the Committee to further address concerns related to Parcel A.

The Act is a welcome initiative that would train and employ young men and women in natural resource projects.

The American people are being kept in the dark about their government's interpretation of a major surveillance law.

I have come to the conclusion they are legitimate.

I think it is absolutely essential to protect the operations and methods that are employed day in, day out by the courageous people who serve us in the intelligence community.

the application of secret law is wrong, because that's what I'm raising in the letter.

I don't think our government ought to be able to write secret law.

I think most Members of Congress aren't aware of how it's being applied either, even though they're being asked to vote for it.

I hope that you will do more than work with just the President's task force because I think that is constructive.

Isn't acceptable to me.

I also believe that all intelligence activities have to be conducted within the boundaries of public law.

The ball is in your court to do this in a hurry.

the government's official interpretation of the law should be public.

if the public thinks that the law is this, and the law ends up actually being that, that's a prescription for trouble.

When members of the public find out how their government is secretly interpreting the PATRIOT Act, they're going to insist on significant reforms.

Those tools include the creation of organic legislation by the U.S. Congress for this agency.

It is good to have my old seatmate from this committee here.

I think business as usual is unacceptable.

I think secret law is an increasing, you know, problem in this country.