Senator Patrick Leahy...On Reports of Unauthorized Surveillance by the National Security Agency

[ProSense]

Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On Reports of Unauthorized Surveillance by the National Security Agency

Announces Plan For Further Hearing

August 16, 2013


(Last year during the debate over reauthorization of the FISA Amendments Act, Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) sought to strengthen independent oversight by offering an amendment to mandate an inspector general audit and a shorter expiration date. Although this proposal was not included then, he has re-introduced legislation that contains many of those same proposals. The Leahy-Lee bill also addresses other key provisions of the PATRIOT Act, including Section 215, the provision used to justify the bulk collection of telephone records.)

The American people rely on the intelligence community to provide forthright and complete information so that Congress and the courts can properly conduct oversight. I remain concerned that we are still not getting straightforward answers from the NSA.

I plan to hold another hearing on these matters in the Judiciary Committee and will continue to demand honest and forthright answers from the intelligence community. Using advanced surveillance technologies in secret demands close oversight and appropriate checks and balances, and the American people deserve no less than that.

http://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/comment-of-senator-patrick-leahy-on-reports-of-unauthorized-surveillance-by-the-national-security-agency

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[JDPriestly]

2. Let's hope that they really ask the right questions and that we get full and honest answers.

That hasn't happened in the past.

[Comrade Grumpy]

3. Good for Leahy. He's one of my favorites senators, and stuff like this is why.

He's going to be busy in Judiciary. He's also got federal sentencing reform on his plate.

[leftstreet]

4. So spying is now called 'Unauthorized Surveillance?'

[PowerToThePeople]

5. ok.

I plan to hold blah blah blah blah blah in the blah blah and will continue to demand blah blah blah blah blah. Using advanced surveillance technologies in secret demands blah blah blah blah blah, and the American people deserve no less than that.

[ProSense]

6. "I plan to hold blah blah blah blah blah in the blah blah "

Like I've said, the proposed fixes are out there

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023462757
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023469450

...but that's not the goal for some.

[PowerToThePeople]

7. Here's a fix

Overturn the patriot act and all the other "surveillance laws." Send in crews with sledge hammers and metal grinders to purge all database equipment from this program. De-fund the NSA & CIA, fire everyone, and remove all persons associated from the premises.

Start over and build up a system with oversight.

[ProSense]

8. OK, keep waiting form that. n/t

[PowerToThePeople]

10. You just do not get it.

There is nothing that can be done to tame this wild animal. The only thing to do is to start with a newborn and make sure it is raised tame.

[cali]

9. and if you knew the first thing about Leahy on this subject

you'd know it was far more than blah, blah, blah. do some due diligence.

Or do you think that he can do this all on his own? He's been introducing legislation to curb the NSA for OVER A DECADE. What else do you want him to do?