WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today after the Senate passed a bipartisan, long-term update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) by a 68-29 vote:
"After a temporary fix, a temporary extension, almost seven months of delay and today's action by the Senate, it is disappointing that the House majority leadership is still debating their next move in this political chess game that FISA has become. Delaying passing the Senate bill -- a responsible bipartisan compromise -- would be tantamount to putting the national security of our nation on hold.
"Now -- with a congressional recess fast approaching -- is not the time for another patch. Inaction by the majority will put us in a very real and very dangerous position by refusing a permanent fix that successfully balances the security needs of our nation with the privacy needs of the American people -- all while extending an important measure of protection to companies that helped our government track terrorists following September 11th .
"Republicans want a real, long-term solution, and my friend Kit Bond's legislation that passed the Senate today not only addresses the concerns of Democrats -- more importantly, it protects America. I hope House Democrats will stop this needless delay and act."
SOURCE House Republican Whip Roy Blunt
