Russ Feingold: “This amendment is a straightforward reporting requirement that is critical if Congress is to understand how the foreign…”

“This amendment is a straightforward reporting requirement that is critical if Congress is to understand how the foreign intelligence surveillance laws it passes, including this one, are being interpreted and applied. The issue is very simple. If the FISA Court makes a significant interpretation of the law, I think Congress should know about it. Congress can't conduct oversight of intelligence unless it knows what the court is and is not permitting the administration to do. Congress can't pass new legislation without knowing how the court has interpreted current law. This issue is absolutely fundamental to our constitutional system. Congress has a responsibility to understand the impact of the laws it is passing. The courts should have the assurance that when they interpret the law, those interpretations will be communicated to the legislature. This isn't some unusual idea; this is how our system of government has operated from its inception. Specifically, this amendment does two things. First, it requires that when the court issues an opinion that includes a significant legal interpretation, the Government must provide the Government's pleadings associated with that decision to Congress.”