(Washington, DC) - Congressman Wally Herger today joined fellow House Republicans in walking off the House floor to protest the House Democratic leadership’s decision not to consider a bipartisan measure that would modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).  The Senate overwhelmingly passed the bill earlier this week.  Prompt House passage is necessary because the Protect America Act, a short-term FISA modernization law that passed last August, expired earlier this month, and the President has indicated that he will not approve any additional short-term extension.  Herger made the following statement regarding the issue.  Click here to listen to his radio actuality discussing it.

“It is the highest duty of Congress to defend our nation from foreign threats, and today’s decision not to modernize the outdated 1978 FISA law signals to our enemies that the majority is not willing to take all lawful and necessary steps to defeat them.  This inaction in Congress will effectively handcuff our intelligence community by requiring them to follow cumbersome and oftentimes inefficient rules to monitor the interactions of suspected terrorists abroad. 
 
“Further, the majority’s failure to support immunity protections for American companies who, at the request of our government assisted in the fight against jihadists, demonstrates an inexplicable willingness to punish these patriotic Americans and could deter American companies from providing information to government authorities that will help track terrorists. 

“Simply put, I’m appalled by the House Democratic majority’s apparent decision to adjourn for President’s Day recess without passing bipartisan legislation to equip our intelligence community with the tools they need to monitor terrorists’ communications and protect Americans.

“I urge the House majority to reconsider and immediately allow a vote on the bipartisan Senate bill.  I stand ready to stay in Washington until this occurs.”