After the break is an email from Rep. Sam Farr, D-CA 22nd district, regarding his position on FISA:
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Following is an email from Rep. Sam Farr, D-CA22, regarding FISA:
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October 15, 2007
Thank you for contacting me regarding modifications to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
As you may be aware, since 2002 the National Security Agency had been secretly monitoring the international telephone calls and emails of US residents without warrants, in an effort to track possible links to al Qaeda. The Administration argued its' authority for this illegal wiretapping was inherent when Congress approved the use of military force authority 3 days after September 11. I have always opposed giving the President authority to use military force and I opposed the legislation in 2006 that expanded the President's power to conduct surveillance within the US without FISA court approval. Like every American, I believe we must do everything we can to keep our country safe, but, we cannot trample on our guaranteed constitutional protections and civil liberties.
Unfortunately, recent efforts in the summer of 2007 to amend FISA was more of the same -- it is perfectly acceptable to monitor the communications of U.S. citizens living abroad without a court order in the name of terrorism. While this was only a temporary, six month fix, I opposed S1927 because I strongly believe judicial review by the special FISA court is an absolute necessity to protect the constitutional rights of all US citizens no matter where they live.
Demonstrating that is possible to fight terrorism and protect civil liberties, the chairmen of the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees recently introduced legislation that would require the administration to get a blanket warrant from the FISA court to monitor the phone calls or emails of suspected foreign terrorists when those communications pass through US telecommunications networks or involve a US citizen. It does not provide retroactive immunity for telecom companies that may have helped facilitate the warrantless spying program.
FISA reform legislation is on a fast track and will likely be considered on the House Floor in mid-October. You can be assured that I remain resolute in upholding the constitutional rights of all US citizens while balancing our legitimate security concerns.
Sincerely,
SAM FARR
Member of Congress
SF/dm
Please be sure to visit my website at http://www.farr.house.gov