Political Quotes

On the recordApril 19, 2024
the Senate is currently debating the reauthorization of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. I call this the most important law that most Americans never heard of. But it is an essential tool for our intelligence community to protect the American people against a whole array of threats, as I will try to explain. It is somewhat complicated, which means that it is important to make sure that we understand what the facts are and dispel any myths or any misconceptions about what exactly we are asking the Senate to vote on. Unless the Senate takes action soon, section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act will expire at midnight tonight. If that happens, the United States will lose access to valuable intelligence that is needed by our intelligence community to keep America safe. Our country's top intelligence officials have shared a number of success stories that demonstrate the far-reaching value of this authority. But the best I can tell, there is broad bipartisan consensus about the value of section 702. I have heard no one stand up and say: We should just let the authority lapse. And that is for good reason that you haven't heard that argument. Section 702-acquired information has helped combat terrorism, disrupt drug trafficking, thwart cyber attacks, prevent our adversaries from trafficking in weapons of mass destruction, and much more.…
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John Cornyn
Republican · Texas

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