Patrick Leahy

But if our phone records are relevant, why wouldn't our credit card records be--wouldn't you like to know if somebody is buying the fertilizer used in bombs?

I believe based on what I have seen--and I read intelligence regularly--that we would place this Nation in jeopardy if we eliminated these two programs.

I support this program. I think based on what I know, they will come after us, and I think we need to prevent an attack wherever we can from happening.

I do want to compliment all four of the witnesses who are here for their candor.

It plays a crucial role in closing the gaps and seams that we fought hard to gain after the 9/11 attacks.

Well, obviously there was not. I mean, if a 29-year-old school dropout could come in and take out massive, massive amounts of data, it is obvious there were not adequate controls.

None of the reforms that we consider should effectively rebuild that wall.

These are things that can be done to increase transparency, but not to stop the program.

The utility of that specific program initially is not as valuable.

I am far from convinced.

I do not condone the way these and other highly classified programs were disclosed.

Your proposal was not to have counsel in every single case but where there were special legal issues raised.

Has anybody been fired?

We must also make sure that we do not overreact and repeat the mistakes of the past.

No reform should be based on the misguided legal theory that foreign terrorists on foreign soil are entitled to the same constitutional rights that Americans expect here at home.

If this program is not effective, it has to end. And so far I am not convinced by what I have seen.

It is appropriate to hold people accountable for allowing such a massive leak to occur.

I think Congress has to carefully consider the powerful surveillance tools that we grant to the Government.

We must carefully consider now whether those laws may have gone too far.

As long as we keep this detention center open at Guantanamo, it will continue to serve as a recruiting tool for terrorists.

I think it is long past time that we take action and end this unfortunate chapter in our Nation's history.

Our sacred Constitution guarantees that an American citizen cannot be kept from exercising his or her God-given right to vote because of race or color.

I welcome everyone to this important hearing.

If you protect the right to vote for everybody, it is one of the greatest steps you can take to protect a democracy.

I am committed to working to pass a constitutional response to the Shelby County v. Holder decision.