Daniel Kahikina Akaka, U.S. Senator of Hawaii: Press Releases

Daniel Kahikina Akaka, U.S. Senator for Hawaii

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Statement on FISA Amendments Act

July 9, 2008

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) released the following statement today regarding his vote against H.R. 6304, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008.

"I voted against this version of the bill because it fails to ensure that innocent Americans' privacy rights are protected, and because it provides blanket immunity for telecommunications companies who allegedly participated in the Administration's illegal wiretapping program. We all agree we need to give our intelligence agencies tools to combat terrorism, but we must be careful to ensure that any new authority protects Americans' privacy and civil liberties, and that we do not shield the Administration from accountability for conducting surveillance outside the law."

Earlier today, Akaka voted to support amendments that would have modified the immunity provision. When these amendments failed, he voted against final passage of the bill.

-END-

Year: [2008] , 2007 , 2006 , 2005 , 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000 , 1999 , 1900

July 2008

Akaka Introduces Bill to Improve Access to Banks, Credit Unions and Alternatives to Payday Loans [July 31, 2008]
Akaka, Inouye Cheer Senate Passage of Higher Education Bill [July 31, 2008]
Akaka Gives Floor Speech Update on Veterans' Legislation [July 31, 2008]
Senate Unanimously Approves COLA Increase for Disabled Veterans [July 31, 2008]
USDA Approved Disaster Declaration for Vog Damage to Big Island Crops [July 30, 2008]
Akaka Votes to Support Housing and Economic Recovery Bill [July 26, 2008]
Wrap-Up of This Week's Senate Oversight on Iraq [July 25, 2008]
Hawaii to Receive Over $13 Million in Homeland Security Funds [July 25, 2008]
Akaka Highlights Military Service of Hawaii Guard at Senate Hearing [July 23, 2008]
Akaka Holds Hearing on Outreach to Veterans of the National Guard and Reserves [July 23, 2008]
VA Failing to Inform Guard and Reservists Returning from Iraq/Afghanistan of Potential Benefits [July 21, 2008]
Military Times: VA still resists voting drives in facilities [July 21, 2008]
Federal Museum Grants Awarded to Laupahoehoe Train Museum in Hamakua and Waioli Corporation in Lihue [July 17, 2008]
VA's Continued Refusal to Allow Voter Registration Drives Makes No Sense [July 17, 2008]
Hawaii's Senators Vote to Overide President's Veto of Medicare Bill and Restore Payments to Doctors [July 15, 2008]
Akaka Questions Fed Chairman Bernanke on Bank Failures and Preditory Lending [July 15, 2008]
Statement on Senate Passage of Housing Bill [July 11, 2008]
Akaka, Feinstein and Kerry Urge Veterans Affairs Secretary to End Prohibition on Voter Registration [July 10, 2008]
Senate Passes Medicare Bill Including $15 Million For Hawaii Hospitals [July 9, 2008]
Statement on FISA Amendments Act [July 9, 2008]
Chairman Urges Reduction in Backlog of Veterans Disability Claims, Notes Progress [July 9, 2008]
Akaka Critical of Shortfalls in Health Care for Immigrants in Detention [July 3, 2008]
Comments on Proposal to Allow Loaded Firearms in Parks Due July 30, 2008 [July 3, 2008]