01.18.18

Senate to Reauthorize Important Anti-Terror Tool

‘The men and women we trust to protect this country say this capability is essential to their missions. They tell us that it has saved American lives. That is why we cannot let this capability lapse. The world remains dangerous. We need our armed forces and intelligence community to protect us. And they need us to give them the tools to do it. I look forward to renewing this important provision on a bipartisan basis in a short while.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding Senate consideration of the House-passed FISA bill:

“In just a short while, the Senate will vote to reauthorize important provisions of the FISA Amendments Act. As we all know, Section 702 remains one of the most important tools that our national security professionals use to combat terrorism and keep Americans safe.

“Let's be very clear about what Section 702 does: It enables our intelligence community to collect communications from foreign terrorists, on foreign soil, who threaten America and our allies. Make no mistake, Section 702 does not allow the targeting of American citizens. Nor does it permit the targeting of anyone – no matter their nationality – who is known to be located here in the U.S.

“The men and women we trust to protect this country say this capability is essential to their missions. They tell us that it has saved American lives. That is why we cannot let this capability lapse. The world remains dangerous. We need our armed forces and intelligence community to protect us. And they need us to give them the tools to do it. I look forward to renewing this important provision on a bipartisan basis in a short while.”

Related Issues: Homeland Security