WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. John Kerry today released the following statement on his decision to oppose cloture on legislation that would grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that complied with President Bush’s wiretapping program:

“Congress has an obligation to protect both the American people and the Constitution. That’s the oath we take. Supporting the current version of the FISA bill is tantamount to asking Congress to cover up President Bush’s blatant assault on our basic freedoms. Congress shouldn’t effectively be granting immunity for abuses to the Constitution or rubber stamping the Administration’s warrantless spying program. We shouldn’t settle for anything less than a bill that gives the President the tools to protect Americans, while also safeguarding the freedoms that define us as Americans. We must effectively gather intelligence to stop those who would attack us. But, we weaken – not strengthen – our ability to do that when we undermine the Constitution.”

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