Help Protect America - FISA Needed Now!

by Bradley A. Blakeman, Freedom's Watch: In the six and a half years since September 11, 2001, there has not been a single significant terrorist attack on U.S. soil. This is no accident or stroke of luck - it is because the United States government has the necessary resources and is fully committed to protecting American lives. Lawmakers worked together to pass necessary legislation like the Patriot Act and created the Department of Homeland Security. They worked together to update and revise laws to face new threats and challenges, providing our intelligence and law enforcement agencies with the 21st century tools they need to keep us safe from further terrorist attacks.

But despite this bipartisan record and proven success, liberal special interests and the Democratic Congressional leadership are jeopardizing a significant and necessary component of our intelligence gathering capability. Last year, Congress passed the Protect America Act - an update to previously passed FISA legislation that allows the U.S. government to effectively monitor to terrorist communications. This legislation was set to expire on February 1st, yet the far-left is blocking reauthorization of this bill, and hampering our efforts to prevent further attack.

The ACLU, MoveOn.org, Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Chris Dodd and others are fighting a provision that provides immunity to telecommunication companies facing multi-billion dollar lawsuits because they assisted law enforcement agencies in defending America following the September 11 attacks. Stripping immunity from the bill would not make American safer; it would only provide a financial windfall to trial lawyers. Interestingly, the same trial lawyers that stand to profit from this litigation contribute disproportionately to the liberal lawmakers now working to strip immunity. It's shameful that liberal politicians are attempting to use this critical legislation as an opportunity to reward contributors.

Sen. Ron Wyden also introduced an amendment that would require a warrant for any overseas surveillance for intelligence purposes. This ridiculous proposal would seriously hinder intelligence gathering and makes little sense. In fact, if the amendment were to pass, a warrant would be required to target a group planning a terrorist attack, but not a drug cartel in Colombia. Republicans and Democrats have agreed to a 15-day extension of this vital legislation after congressional leaders have been stalling this legislation for months. President Bush and conservatives in Congress don't believe that companies should be subject to lawsuits for voluntarily helping protect our country in these critical times and want to prevent liberal lawmakers from using this legislation to reward the trial lawyers - we agree.

I lost my nephew Senior Court Officer Tommy Jurgens on September 11, 2001. He was a first responder who gave his life saving others. I want to prevent another tragedy from occurring to our country because our government lacks the vital tools necessary to stop the terrorists. Contact your senators and tell them to give our law enforcement and intelligence agencies the tools they need to keep us safe.

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