Congresswoman Lee Opposes FISA Amendments Act: Says ‘we must not go down the road of Cointelpro again'
For Immediate Release
June, 20, 2008
Contact: Julie Nickson
202-225-2661
Congresswoman Lee Opposes FISA Amendments Act
Says ‘we must not go down the road of Cointelpro again’
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Lee today voted against H.R. 6304, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. The bill passed the House by a vote of 293 to 129. Congresswoman Lee delivered the following remarks in opposition to the bill during House consideration of the bill:
“Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition to H.R. 6304, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, because it does not strike the proper balance between protecting the national security and preserving our cherished civil liberties. It gives the Executive Branch more powers than are necessary and it does not contain the safeguards necessary to protect the liberties of the American people from the abuse of those powers.
“I know how important these protections are from my personal experience as a victim of unwarranted domestic surveillance and wire tapping during the J. Edgar Hoover period. The Government’s infamous Cointelpro program ruined the lives of many innocent persons. Others, including myself, had their privacy invaded even though they posed absolutely no threat to national security. We all remember how Dr. King and his family were the victims of the most shameful government-sponsored wiretapping. We must never go down this road again.
“Madam Speaker, here are four reasons to oppose this bill. First, the legislation undermines the ability of federal courts to review the legality of domestic surveillance programs. It limits the subjects which may be reviewed and lowers the standard the Government must meet to pass legal muster.
“Second, the House bill provides de facto retroactive immunity to telecommunication companies that participated in illegal spying by this Administration.
“Third, the legislation does not sunset until December 31, 2012. Given the breadth and scope of authority this bill gives the President, 4 years is too long to wait before Congress has the chance to review, modify, or terminate the program.
“Fourth, the bill contains insufficient protections against the practice of “reverse targeting,” the practice whereby the government targets foreigners overseas without a warrant while its actual purpose is to collect information on persons in the United States.
“A good bill will protect America and, protect Americans in their persons, places, and effects as guaranteed by the 4th Amendment. Sadly, this bill falls short. Therefore, I cannot support it.”