Washington
(Apr 23, 2008)
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today praised Rep. Vito Fossella (R-NY) for filing a discharge petition designed to force the House Democratic leadership to allow a vote on H.R. 5440, legislation to close the terrorist loophole in the 37 year-old Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) while adding critical liability protections for firms that have stepped up to the plate in the interest of our national security. The measure includes the text of the FISA modernization bill passed by the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support on February 12, 2008. Under House rules, if the petition receives 218 signatures, Democratic leaders must schedule a vote on H.R. 5440. Boehner issued the following statement:
“More than 66 days have passed since our nation has been left more vulnerable to terrorist attack because House Democratic leaders continue to block the bipartisan Senate-passed modernization bill, and every day that passes without congressional action, we lose critical intelligence that could help us track foreign terrorists quickly and effectively. However, because Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer have bowed to their trial lawyer allies who oppose this legislation, the bill is not likely to see the light of day in the House without forceful, bipartisan action.
“I applaud Rep. Fossella for leading this effort to force a vote on this vital measure. And I urge the 21 Blue Dog Democrats who have called on Speaker Pelosi to schedule the Senate-passed bill to sign the discharge petition so we can give our intelligence officials every tool they need to protect us – without placing them at the mercy of trial lawyers looking for a way to make a quick buck. The American people expect their elected officials to get things done on their behalf – without regard to party affiliation. This discharge petition gives both Democrats and Republicans the opportunity to do just that.”
NOTE: 21 Blue Dog Democrats wrote to Speaker Pelosi earlier this year, demanding a vote on the Senate-passed bill. To date, she has ignored their request.
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