Congressman Ruppersberger Reacts to President Bush at the National Security Agency
(Fort Meade, MD)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) who represents the National Security Agency (NSA) in the United States House of Representatives released the following statement after President Bush’s visit to NSA today. The President is asking Congress to expand secret surveillance of American citizens without court approval and make the recently passed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) legislation permanent. Congressman Ruppersberger, a former investigative prosecutor, voted against the measure. It passed the House and Senate and was signed by the President on August 5, 2007, and is set to expire six months after it was enacted.
“I am glad the President visited the hard-working men and women of the National Security Agency (NSA) today. I have been to NSA twice over the past two weeks. In addition, I serve as the Chairman of the Technical and Tactical Subcommittee on the Intelligence Committee, which overseas NSA. The career professionals there are working hard to safeguard our nation. They deserve our unwavering support.
“America must be tough on terrorism. I believe we need to give the workers at NSA the tools they need to keep our country safe. Those tools include surveillance. As a former investigative prosecutor, I know the importance of wiretapping. Whether it is collecting information about drug suspects or tracking down terrorists, wiretaps are critical in collecting information to help catch the bad guys — but the law must be clear. NSA employees must know what is allowed and what is not under the law.
“Wiretapping foreigners to obtain critical information to protect our country is allowed under our Constitution. The measure the President is supporting provides no clarity when it comes to monitoring Americans. It appears the measure authorizes searches, seizures, and surveillance of Americans on U.S. soil without a warrant. This is wrong.
“I believe we must have court oversight in these situations. We must have checks and balances when it comes to protecting the civil liberties of Americans. It is what our citizens deserve and our Forefathers would want. We don't have to decide between civil liberties and national security. As soon as we erode our checks and balances, the terrorists start to win,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).
The Intelligence Committee is holding an open hearing about FISA legislation on Thursday, September 20, 2007, on Capitol Hill. The Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell is scheduled to testify.
WHAT: Open Intelligence Hearing about FISA
WHEN: 9 am, Thursday, September 19, 2007
WHERE: 1300 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515WHO: Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD)
Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX)
Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell
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