SUNUNU VOTES FOR VITAL NATIONAL SECURITY LEGISLATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                          CONTACT: BARBARA RILEY

7/9/08                                                          202-224-2841

                                                                LIZ CHAMBERLAIN

                                                                603-430-9560

SUNUNU VOTES FOR VITAL NATIONAL SECURITY LEGISLATION

Supports Senate passage of FISA Amendments Act

WASHINGTON, DC – United States Senator John Sununu (R-NH) today (7/9) voted to further the balance between national security and protecting privacy and civil liberties by supporting Senate passage of the “FISA Amendments Act.”

The bipartisan legislation, which passed the Senate by a vote of 69-28, aims to close existing gaps in current law that hinder the ability of the intelligence community to quickly detect and act upon threats to national security by suspected terrorists. Sununu issued the following statement:

“Dramatic changes in our global communications network have made an update to foreign surveillance standards essential. This bill allows intelligence services to appropriately and effectively monitor foreign targets overseas.

“Whether communications are related to terrorism, nuclear weapons proliferation, military technology, or other national security issues, real time access to data and communications from foreign targets is more valuable today than ever before.

“Under this legislation, no American, no matter where they are, can be the target of electronic surveillance without a warrant. Equally important, this approach does not provide immunity to any government or federal officials who may have overstepped their legal authority or violated the privacy of innocent Americans.”