Jay Rockefeller: “I support this amendment. It closes a gap in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The amendment expands the…”

“I support this amendment. It closes a gap in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The amendment expands the definition of certain key terms in the law in order to enhance the Government's ability to obtain FISA coverage of individuals involved in the international proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Although the international proliferation of WMD is one of the most serious threats facing the nation, the Government cannot now get a FISA Court order for individuals believed to be engaged in international proliferation of weapons of mass destruction unless the Government can also show a close link between the trafficker and a foreign Government or an international terrorist organization. Too often, this connection only becomes clear at the completion of the target's proliferation activity. With this amendment, the Government will be able to conduct electronic surveillance and physical searches, with a FISA Court order, at a much earlier stage in an individual's proliferation activities. It should be understood that this amendment is intended to broaden FISA coverage only in those instances in which the individual is involved in international proliferation activities.”