I will speak very briefly on this matter because I would like to support Senator Rockefeller's call for an inquiry into this area, particularly as it relates to rendition. Let me begin by saying that I strongly agree with my friend and…

it is not easy for a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to oppose Ambassador Negroponte's nomination on the floor of this Senate. I am well aware that many do not share the concerns, and the views I will express this…

I hope that Thursday's session can be done in public.

My concern is, and I'll wrap up with this Mr. Chairman, that the pre-9/11 set of walls has been replaced with a new set of walls preventing information sharing.

If the privacy board met the constitutional standards, what you're telling me is you would not rule out giving them a subpoena.

With all due respect, Mr. Director, as I've said, you've worked very well with me. This is not what we've done over the years.

I think that's a pretty sweeping comment that there really isn't any standard of proof, that there isn't any, to your terminology, no particular standard of proof.

Is it fair to say then, Director, that this staged development of information, as you describe it, is in fact the new standard of proof for issuing a FISA warrant and a National Security Letter?

But what is the standard of proof, then?

I would like to work with both of you and see if we can flesh out a bipartisan change there that would strike the right balance between security and individual rights.

I'm not aware of abuses.

Why not require a judge to approve these National Security Letters?

Are you aware of Doe v. Ashcroft?

I want to know more about this.

We ought to be fighting terrorism ferociously without gutting civil liberties.

I want to follow up on an area that Senator Levin was touching on.

What I am interested in knowing is, what is necessary at this point, Director Mueller, to initiate an investigation within the FBI?

I'm concerned that a lot of these recipients aren't given notice of their right to challenge search orders.

Well, again, what is hard for us to address here is that we're to some extent doing oversight in the dark.

a remarkable coalition of agricultural employers and farm workers has come together behind the Craig-Kennedy amendment. I commend them for all of their efforts. I simply wanted to spend a few minutes and talk about a bit of lineage behind…

there has been a tumultuous start to this session of Congress with often acrimonious debate about judges, budget, and the tragic situation involving Terri Schiavo and her family. But I rise this morning with my friend and colleague…

the Senator has summed it up very well. I pick up on his comments with respect to health care. As my friend knows, this has always been my first love, going back to my days with the Gray Panthers. I have been especially proud that Oregon…

That is fine with me. I am waiting for Senator Smith. Madam President, if I could, I ask unanimous consent that after Senator Alexander completes his remarks, Senator Smith, my colleague from Oregon, and I may speak for up to 30 minutes…

I would like an additional 5 minutes as coauthor of the amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada.

as we conclude with this amendment, I particularly thank the distinguished chairman of the committee for this extra time and get back to this question of what the amendment is really all about. I do not quibble at all with the fact that…