Congressman John Hall (D-NY) statement on FISA

[Eric J in MN]

Via email:

Today the House of Representatives voted on H.R. 6304, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008.

I have consistently supported modernizing the existing FISA law to give our intelligence community the tools it needs to identify and defeat terrorists in today's high-tech world, while at the same time preserving the freedoms and rights that define America. Three times I voted to pass legislation that would strengthen and modernize FISA and reaffirm the rule of law. Although today's bill made some improvements over previous attempts to update FISA, H.R. 6304 regrettably fell short of achieving that critical balance. The rule of law lies at the core of America's founding principles, and the language in this bill was too weak to ensure that any breach of our laws that may have occurred under the Bush Administration's warrantless wiretapping program will be fully addressed. It is wrong to deny Americans the right to pursue these matters in court, or to short-circuit the judicial review that lies at the heart of our system of checks and balances, the bedrock of our Constitution. Accordingly, I voted against this bill.

I will continue to support real protection of our country from terrorist threats, while at the same time fighting for robust oversight by the Legislative and Judicial branches of our government.

Your Representative,
John Hall

[Demit]

1. "I will continue to support real protection of our country from terrorist threats"

Right there is the meme that true Democrats in Congress could be using. John Hall is one of the good guys.

[Leopolds Ghost]

2. Hear hear. Treat Americans like adults.

[crickets]

3. K&R

:dem:

[tomg]

4. What makes it even better is that Hall

is a first-time Rep in a traditionally Republican district - the 19th - close to New York City with a number of communities that were hit hard by 9/11. Hall is really one of the good guys. We are lucky in our area: Hall and Hinchey. I am, though, very disappointed in Kristen Gillibrand.

[Krashkopf]

5. How quickly can you promote him to Senator?

In time for next week's FISA vote?

[Eric J in MN]

6. Link to his website

http://www.johnhallforcongress.com