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Defend Democracy Action Fund Congratulates House on Passage of Sensible Terrorist Surveillance Bill, Urges Speedy Senate Approval
Written by Defend Democracy Action Fund
Friday, 20 June 2008 00:00
Ran five national television and radio ads urging Congress to act
Washington, D.C. (June 20, 2008) The Defend Democracy Action Fund congratulates the House of Representatives for passing terrorist surveillance reform that restores tools our intelligence agents urgently need to protect American lives from unlawful combatants intent on murder and mayhem.
Former terrorism prosecutor and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Andy McCarthy wrote in today’s National Review Online:
“Here is the bottom line: Our intelligence agencies will once again have authority to conduct aggressive monitoring of foreign powers, including terrorist organizations, which threaten the United States. In particular, this will be the case overseas — that is, when foreigners located outside our borders communicate with each other. The Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency will essentially be able to collect foreign intelligence without interference from the courts, the status quo ante that was U.S. law for decades before being upset by a secret court ruling last year.”
Said Defend Democracy Action Fund President Clifford D. May: “After nearly four months denying our intelligence agents the full authority they require to intercept communications between terrorists plotting on foreign soil, the House today finally put partisan politics aside and closed dangerous gaps in U.S. intelligence policy. Make no mistake: Valuable intelligence almost certainly has been lost by this delay. Regrettably, Speaker Pelosi did place the American people at greater risk for the sake of partisan politics. But with this legislation in place, American lives can again be better protected.”
Defend Democracy ran two television ads, three radio spots, and a national print ad urging Members of Congress to support bipartisan terrorist surveillance reform. In total, the ads appeared in more than 30 Congressional districts.
Written by Defend Democracy Action Fund
Friday, 20 June 2008 00:00
Ran five national television and radio ads urging Congress to act
Washington, D.C. (June 20, 2008) The Defend Democracy Action Fund congratulates the House of Representatives for passing terrorist surveillance reform that restores tools our intelligence agents urgently need to protect American lives from unlawful combatants intent on murder and mayhem.
Former terrorism prosecutor and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Andy McCarthy wrote in today’s National Review Online:
“Here is the bottom line: Our intelligence agencies will once again have authority to conduct aggressive monitoring of foreign powers, including terrorist organizations, which threaten the United States. In particular, this will be the case overseas — that is, when foreigners located outside our borders communicate with each other. The Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency will essentially be able to collect foreign intelligence without interference from the courts, the status quo ante that was U.S. law for decades before being upset by a secret court ruling last year.”
Said Defend Democracy Action Fund President Clifford D. May: “After nearly four months denying our intelligence agents the full authority they require to intercept communications between terrorists plotting on foreign soil, the House today finally put partisan politics aside and closed dangerous gaps in U.S. intelligence policy. Make no mistake: Valuable intelligence almost certainly has been lost by this delay. Regrettably, Speaker Pelosi did place the American people at greater risk for the sake of partisan politics. But with this legislation in place, American lives can again be better protected.”
Defend Democracy ran two television ads, three radio spots, and a national print ad urging Members of Congress to support bipartisan terrorist surveillance reform. In total, the ads appeared in more than 30 Congressional districts.
After Two Months of Lost Terrorist Surveillance, New Ads Calls on Congress to Act on Bipartisan Senate Bill
Written by Defend Democracy Action Fund
Tuesday, 22 April 2008 00:00
House continues to play politics instead of restoring authority to spy on foreign terrorists
Washington D.C. April 22, 2008 - Defend Democracy Action Fund, a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(4) advocacy organization, today launched new radio ads in 9 congressional districts across the country in a renewal of its call on the House of Representatives to pass a bipartisan bill that will authorize U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor communications between suspected terrorists outside of the United States.
It has now been two months since the House of Representatives allowed the law authorizing U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor communications between suspected terrorists outside of the United States to expire. As a result, intelligence has been lost and America is less safe, according to intelligence professionals and members of both political parties.
Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell – a retired Vice Admiral in the Navy who served as President Clinton’s Director of the National Security Agency–said that “we have lost intelligence information…as a direct result of the uncertainty created by Congress’ failure to act.”
25 State Attorneys General, in a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said, “Passing [the bipartisan Senate bill] would ensure our intelligence experts are once again able to conduct real-time surveillance. As you know, prompt access to intelligence data is critical to the ongoing safety and security of our nation.”
Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, made this statement prior to the expiration of the Protect America Act: “The quality of intelligence we are going to be receiving is going to be degraded. It is going to be degraded. It is already going to be degraded as telecommunications companies lose interest.”
“For more than two months, the U.S. House of representatives has refused to pass legislation needed to keep America safe,” said Clifford D. May, president of the Defend Democracy Action Fund. “They refused to listen to our nation’s top intelligence official, who has reported that we have already lost information. And they refused to listen to law enforcement, military, and policy leaders – both Democrat and Republican – who warn that our national security is at risk. It’s time for the House of Representatives to stop playing politics with our national security and support the bipartisan Senate bill.”
Under the leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the House of Representatives refused to take up the bipartisan Senate bill. Instead, it left for two recesses, leaving America’s espionage capabilities severely weakened, and sided with the trial lawyers to pass a sham partisan bill that has no chance of becoming law.
Defense of Democracies Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization. Its mission is to support and encourage policies, procedures and laws necessary to defeat terrorism.
Written by Defend Democracy Action Fund
Tuesday, 22 April 2008 00:00
House continues to play politics instead of restoring authority to spy on foreign terrorists
Washington D.C. April 22, 2008 - Defend Democracy Action Fund, a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(4) advocacy organization, today launched new radio ads in 9 congressional districts across the country in a renewal of its call on the House of Representatives to pass a bipartisan bill that will authorize U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor communications between suspected terrorists outside of the United States.
It has now been two months since the House of Representatives allowed the law authorizing U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor communications between suspected terrorists outside of the United States to expire. As a result, intelligence has been lost and America is less safe, according to intelligence professionals and members of both political parties.
Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell – a retired Vice Admiral in the Navy who served as President Clinton’s Director of the National Security Agency–said that “we have lost intelligence information…as a direct result of the uncertainty created by Congress’ failure to act.”
25 State Attorneys General, in a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said, “Passing [the bipartisan Senate bill] would ensure our intelligence experts are once again able to conduct real-time surveillance. As you know, prompt access to intelligence data is critical to the ongoing safety and security of our nation.”
Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, made this statement prior to the expiration of the Protect America Act: “The quality of intelligence we are going to be receiving is going to be degraded. It is going to be degraded. It is already going to be degraded as telecommunications companies lose interest.”
“For more than two months, the U.S. House of representatives has refused to pass legislation needed to keep America safe,” said Clifford D. May, president of the Defend Democracy Action Fund. “They refused to listen to our nation’s top intelligence official, who has reported that we have already lost information. And they refused to listen to law enforcement, military, and policy leaders – both Democrat and Republican – who warn that our national security is at risk. It’s time for the House of Representatives to stop playing politics with our national security and support the bipartisan Senate bill.”
Under the leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the House of Representatives refused to take up the bipartisan Senate bill. Instead, it left for two recesses, leaving America’s espionage capabilities severely weakened, and sided with the trial lawyers to pass a sham partisan bill that has no chance of becoming law.
Defense of Democracies Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization. Its mission is to support and encourage policies, procedures and laws necessary to defeat terrorism.
House of Representatives Rejects Bipartisan Terrorist Surveillance Bill'
Written by Defend Democracy Action Fund
Friday, 14 March 2008 00:00
Recesses without restoring key intelligence capabilities
March 14, 2008 Washington DC – The leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives has once again put the American people in danger by refusing to allow the Senate version of the FISA modernization bill. They instead voted on a bill that has little chance of passing in the Senate and which the President has vowed to veto.
The support for the Senate version of the bill has been overwhelming from both bipartisan and nonpartisan sources. A bipartisan delegation of 25 State Attorneys General wrote a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi urging a vote and describing the importance of the legislation to keeping America safe. In addition, organizations representing law enforcement officers from throughout the country have voiced their strong support for the Senate version of the bill. In a vote on Friday for a competing, though dangerously inadequate version of the FISA bill, the House of Representatives approved a bill that even an aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid believes could not pass the Senate and may not even be considered.
“The House continues to put American lives in danger by passing a bill that everyone knows has no chance of becoming law,” said Defend Democracy Action Fund President Clifford May. “The House needs to show the same bipartisan cooperation that has been seen in the Senate. This should be about keeping America safe, not political posturing.”
The Senate overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan FISA modernization bill which addresses the concerns of all parties. The strong support that the Senate bill received demonstrates the bipartisan nature of this issue. The Senators who voted for the bill understand what the veterans, law enforcement, intelligence community and national security communities have been saying about the need for a strong terrorist surveillance bill.
For the original article, as well as other, go to: DemocracyActionFund.org
Written by Defend Democracy Action Fund
Friday, 14 March 2008 00:00
Recesses without restoring key intelligence capabilities
March 14, 2008 Washington DC – The leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives has once again put the American people in danger by refusing to allow the Senate version of the FISA modernization bill. They instead voted on a bill that has little chance of passing in the Senate and which the President has vowed to veto.
The support for the Senate version of the bill has been overwhelming from both bipartisan and nonpartisan sources. A bipartisan delegation of 25 State Attorneys General wrote a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi urging a vote and describing the importance of the legislation to keeping America safe. In addition, organizations representing law enforcement officers from throughout the country have voiced their strong support for the Senate version of the bill. In a vote on Friday for a competing, though dangerously inadequate version of the FISA bill, the House of Representatives approved a bill that even an aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid believes could not pass the Senate and may not even be considered.
“The House continues to put American lives in danger by passing a bill that everyone knows has no chance of becoming law,” said Defend Democracy Action Fund President Clifford May. “The House needs to show the same bipartisan cooperation that has been seen in the Senate. This should be about keeping America safe, not political posturing.”
The Senate overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan FISA modernization bill which addresses the concerns of all parties. The strong support that the Senate bill received demonstrates the bipartisan nature of this issue. The Senators who voted for the bill understand what the veterans, law enforcement, intelligence community and national security communities have been saying about the need for a strong terrorist surveillance bill.
For the original article, as well as other, go to: DemocracyActionFund.org
Defend Democracy Action Fund Launches New Ads Urging House to Act on Bipartisan Terrorist Surveillance Bill
Written by Defend Democracy Action Fund
Wednesday, 05 March 2008 00:00
“We have lost intelligence information”- Director of National Intelligence
“…our national security is in jeopardy”- 25 State Attorneys General
Washington, D.C. (March 5, 2008) – Defend Democracy, a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(4) advocacy organization, today renewed its call on the House Democratic leadership to allow a vote on a bi-partisan bill that will authorize U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor communications between suspected terrorists outside of the United States.
With intelligence and law enforcement officials warning of increased danger as a result of the House’s failure to act, Defend Democracy Action Fund extended its national television ad buy and launched new radio spots in 15 congressional districts.
“For more than two weeks, the U.S. House of representatives has refused to pass legislation needed to keep America safe,” said Clifford D. May, president of Defense of Democracies. “They are refusing to listen to our nation’s top intelligence official, who has reported that we have already lost information. And now they are refusing to listen to 25 state attorneys general – both Democrat and Republican – who warn that our national security is at risk.”
Under the leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the House of Representatives refused to take up a bi-partisan Senate bill to close dangerous gaps in U.S. intelligence law, including critical surveillance authority that was due to lapse February 16. Instead, it left for a recess, leaving America’s espionage capabilities severely weakened. Since returning on February 26, it has rejected efforts to bring the bi-partisan Senate bill for a vote, and instead sided with trial lawyers who oppose the bill.
Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell – a retired Vice Admiral in the Navy who served as President Clinton’s Director of the National Security Agency–says that “we have lost intelligence information this past week as a direct result of the uncertainty created by Congress’ failure to act.”
On Tuesday, 25 state attorneys general wrote to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, warning that the House’s failure to act imperils national security: “Passing [the bipartisan Senate bill] would ensure our intelligence experts are once again able to conduct real-time surveillance. As you know, prompt access to intelligence data is critical to the ongoing safety and security of our nation.”
Andrew C. McCarthy, a former Federal terrorism prosecutor and director of the Center for Law and Counterterrorism at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said: “Opponents of the bipartisan compromise stubbornly insist that their failure to act has no impact on national security. Nothing could be further from the truth. Efforts to gather new intelligence are severely weakened and our nation is at increased risk. The House must schedule a vote without further delay.”
Defend Democracy Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization. Its mission is to support and encourage policies, procedures and laws necessary to defeat terrorism. For more information, please visit DemocracyActionFund.org.
Written by Defend Democracy Action Fund
Wednesday, 05 March 2008 00:00
“We have lost intelligence information”- Director of National Intelligence
“…our national security is in jeopardy”- 25 State Attorneys General
Washington, D.C. (March 5, 2008) – Defend Democracy, a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(4) advocacy organization, today renewed its call on the House Democratic leadership to allow a vote on a bi-partisan bill that will authorize U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor communications between suspected terrorists outside of the United States.
With intelligence and law enforcement officials warning of increased danger as a result of the House’s failure to act, Defend Democracy Action Fund extended its national television ad buy and launched new radio spots in 15 congressional districts.
“For more than two weeks, the U.S. House of representatives has refused to pass legislation needed to keep America safe,” said Clifford D. May, president of Defense of Democracies. “They are refusing to listen to our nation’s top intelligence official, who has reported that we have already lost information. And now they are refusing to listen to 25 state attorneys general – both Democrat and Republican – who warn that our national security is at risk.”
Under the leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the House of Representatives refused to take up a bi-partisan Senate bill to close dangerous gaps in U.S. intelligence law, including critical surveillance authority that was due to lapse February 16. Instead, it left for a recess, leaving America’s espionage capabilities severely weakened. Since returning on February 26, it has rejected efforts to bring the bi-partisan Senate bill for a vote, and instead sided with trial lawyers who oppose the bill.
Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell – a retired Vice Admiral in the Navy who served as President Clinton’s Director of the National Security Agency–says that “we have lost intelligence information this past week as a direct result of the uncertainty created by Congress’ failure to act.”
On Tuesday, 25 state attorneys general wrote to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, warning that the House’s failure to act imperils national security: “Passing [the bipartisan Senate bill] would ensure our intelligence experts are once again able to conduct real-time surveillance. As you know, prompt access to intelligence data is critical to the ongoing safety and security of our nation.”
Andrew C. McCarthy, a former Federal terrorism prosecutor and director of the Center for Law and Counterterrorism at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said: “Opponents of the bipartisan compromise stubbornly insist that their failure to act has no impact on national security. Nothing could be further from the truth. Efforts to gather new intelligence are severely weakened and our nation is at increased risk. The House must schedule a vote without further delay.”
Defend Democracy Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization. Its mission is to support and encourage policies, procedures and laws necessary to defeat terrorism. For more information, please visit DemocracyActionFund.org.