Skip to main content

McCaul Leads Effort to Close Anti-Terror Intelligence Gaps, Keep Us Safe

March 4, 2008

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Michael McCaul will take to the House floor Wednesday evening to urge Democrat leaders to hold an up-or-down vote on a bipartisan, Senate-passed intelligence bill that will help combat terrorism and keep us safe.

McCaul will be joined by other House Republicans in speaking out Wednesday evening as part of a nationwide campaign to increase pressure on House Democrat leaders to hold a simple vote on this critical bill. McCaul will speak after the day's votes are concluded during time allocated to the House Republican leadership.

"We have it within our ability to replace the expiring Protect America Act by passing strong, bipartisan FISA modernization legislation that can be signed into law, and we should do so – consequences of not passing such a measure could place our national security at undue risk. The Intelligence Community needs the Senate's comprehensive bill to provide long-term certainty in their efforts to protect the nation," stated Congressman McCaul.

This weekend, our nation began its third week of being left more vulnerable to terrorist attack because House Democratic leaders continue to block the bipartisan Senate-passed modernization bill. After Congress’ first week back in town following a 12 day district work period, Democratic leadership is coming under fire for not scheduling a vote on the critical national security legislation.

The legislation, which is supported by a bipartisan majority of the House and was cleared by the Senate three weeks ago by a strong bipartisan vote of 68-29, would give our intelligence officials all the tools they need to keep the American people safe while protecting third party firms against frivolous lawsuits for doing their patriotic duty and assisting our intelligence community after 9/11.

Congressman McCaul went on to say, "The simple fact is that Democratic leadership allowed the Protect America Act to expire and then went home putting Americans at home and the war-fighter abroad at great risk."

Members scheduled to join Congressman McCaul advocating for House action on the Senate version of the FISA bill are: Representatives Marsha Blackburn, Heather Wilson, Charles Dent. Others are expected to be announced shortly.

Please tune in to C-SPAN on Wednesday, March 5th between 8 and 10 pm CST.