June 25, 2008

Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, was one of the majority of Democrats who opposed the FISA "Spy on America and Get Out of Jail Free for the Telecoms and the Bush Administration" bill that recently passed in the House. In doing so, she opposed her party's leadership, which supported the anti-Constitutional legislation and continued a long history of championing justice and civil liberties in America.

In her statement to the House, Congresswoman Lee gave four reasons for opposing the odious FISA "compromise":

"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.

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