Jay Rockefeller: “I am confident in saying without any risk of exaggeration that FISA modernization is one of the most important matters…”

“I am confident in saying without any risk of exaggeration that FISA modernization is one of the most important matters that will be considered by this Congress. It calls on us to get two essential matters entirely right--protection of our national security and the preservation of the privacy of our citizens. I am proud of the substance of the bill the Intelligence Committee reported to the Senate in late October on a strong bipartisan vote of 13 to 2. I am equally proud of the process by which we achieved that result. The distinguished vice chairman of the committee, Senator Christopher Bond, and I provided simple guidance for all who worked on this bill: First, work together, reach out; second, reach out particularly to the intelligence community and the Department of Justice for their expertise; third, keep in mind at all times the fundamental principles of protecting both the security and the privacy of all Americans; and finally, remain united in our effort to produce a bill that will meet the test of Congress and that will be signed into law by the President.”