Washington, D.C., Aug 6, 2007 -  

House Republican Conference Secretary John Carter (TX-31) made the following statement after the House approved legislation late Saturday night that closes the terrorist loophole and updates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) after Democratic leaders had delayed the critical measure for months.

“After weeks of pushing my colleagues to consider the FISA bill, enough Democrats finally realized the urgency this threat poses and passed Republican drafted security legislation to ensure our intelligence community is able to track and monitor the physical and financial movements of terrorists abroad, and allow us to access information that will make America safer and more secure,” Congressman Carter said.

“Although this is a step in the right direction, Admiral McConnell has testified that additional changes to our terrorist surveillance laws are needed,” Carter continued. “Congress must stay diligent in our fight against those that threaten the security of our nation and work to make this legislation permanent when we return from the August recess.”