This probably isn't what they had in mind.
Maybe House Intelligence Committee chair Mike Rogers needs to go back to Congress school to have a refresher course on that whole Constitution thing.
Here he is at an "oversight" hearing of the NSA's surveillance activities Tuesday, questioning American University law professor Stephen Vladeck.
Rogers: I would argue the fact that we haven't had any complaints come forward with any specificity arguing that their privacy has been violated, clearly indicates, in ten years, clearly indicates that something must be doing right. Somebody must be doing something exactly right.
Vladeck: But who would be complaining?
Rogers: Somebody who's privacy was violated. You can't have your privacy violated if you don't know your privacy is violated.
Vladeck: I disagree with that. If a tree falls in the forest, it makes a noise whether you're there to see it or not.
Rogers (astounded): Well that's a new interesting standard in the law. We're going to have this conversation... but we're going to have wine, because that's going to get a lot more interesting....
Let's review the Fourth Amendment: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." That's pretty short and sweet, and doesn't include anything about "unless it's done in secret."
Let's also remember who Mike Rogers is: He's the top guy in the House for making sure that the intelligence agencies follow the law.