Blunt: Democrat Delays on FISA Unacceptable

May 22, 2008

WASHINGTON , May 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After a news conference today with leading House and Senate Republicans, House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement as Democrats prepare to break for Memorial Day recess without meeting their self-imposed deadline to fix the existing terrorist loophole in our nation's intelligence laws:

"Whether it's national security, the price of gas, troop funding or tax policy - the dereliction of duty shown by the Democratic Congress on almost every issue facing the American people is grossly unacceptable.

"The majority has again displayed its cavalier attitude toward issues of vital national security by not lifting a finger to pass critical foreign surveillance legislation - legislation Democrats let expire in February.

"It goes without saying that we can't stop terrorists from launching attacks against our country if we don't make every effort to find out what they're doing. Republicans worked in good faith to find a way forward with legislation that is reasonable, responsible and protects the integrity of our intelligence. We are motivated by the simple premise that unless Congress acts on this issue, our country will increasingly be at risk because we are blind to our enemies.

"Despite our efforts over the past several months, we are rightfully frustrated that Democrats have not addressed this important issue with the seriousness or speed it deserves."

NOTE: At the news conference, Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Kit Bond (R-Mo.) outlined the various attempts that Republicans have made in order to bring a compromise bipartisan bill forward that can pass both the House and the Senate.

SOURCE House Republican Whip Roy Blunt

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