On the House Vote on FISA
13 February 2008 • authoritarianism, fisa, nancypelosi, politics
All Members of Congress fully understand and support our responsibility to protect the American people and the need for the President, the Congress, and policymakers to have the best possible intelligence to fight terrorism.
On Friday, a surveillance law insisted upon by the President last August will expire. Today, an overwhelming majority of House Democrats voted to extend that law for three weeks so that agreement could be reached with the Senate on a better version of that law. The President and House Republicans refused to support the extension and therefore will bear the responsibility should any adverse national consequences result.
However, even if the Protect America Act expires later this week, the American people can be confident that our country remains safe and strong. Every order entered under the law can remain in effect for 12 months from the date it was issued.
Furthermore, the underlying Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which provides for the surveillance of terrorists and provides that in emergencies surveillance can begin without warrant, remains intact and available to our intelligence agencies. Unlike last August, the FISA court has no backlog of cases, and thus can issue necessary court orders for surveillance immediately.
Responsibility to protect the American people. Best possible intelligence. Fight terrorism. Surveillance law insisted upon by the President. Overwhelming majority of Democrats. Better version of that law. President and House Republicans refused to support. President and House Republicans bear the responsibility should any adverse national consequences result. Protect America Act. American people. Our country remains safe and strong. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Surveillance of terrorists. Provides that in emergencies surveillance can begin without warrant. Issue necessary court orders for surveillance immediately.
OK? The Democrats want to restore the authority of some secret rubber-stamp court to rubber-stamp the U.S. government’s spying, but the Repuglicans won’t let them. So if anything bad happens, like a TERRORIST ATTACK ZOMG PANIC FEAR PANIC, it’s the Repuglicans’ fault. But nothing bad will happen, because Mommy will chase away the monsters under your bed.
Protect America Act. Jesus. Fuck you, Pelosi.