Arlen Specter: “I support the motion to invoke cloture because I believe it is necessary to deal with the fight against terrorism, and I…”

“I support the motion to invoke cloture because I believe it is necessary to deal with the fight against terrorism, and I think the Government has made a case for some expanded powers, although I think we have to weigh them very carefully--to fight terrorism but still protect civil liberties in this country. I have a strong objection to the provision in the bill relating to retroactive immunity, and my objection goes to the point that the administration did not follow the provisions of law in notifying the Intelligence Committees of the House and Senate or the chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committees about this program. To come at a later date and seek retroactive immunity I think is inappropriate.”