A few years ago, Congress passed a series of amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The goal was to enhance efforts to spy on foreign terrorists as they plotted against our country on foreign soil – especially in light of immense technological advances since the original FISA was passed in 1978. Now those enhancements are up for renewal in Congress. California Rep. Dan Lungren serves on the Judiciary Committee and is a string supporter of renewing the provisions. He says the amendments to FISA have been critical in gathering and analyzing intelligence that protects our nation and smokes out our enemies. Lungren insists the laws do not infringe on the rights of Americans or anyone on American soil. He expects some resistance in Congress but believes the provisions will be renewed. Lungren adds that the recent attacks on Americans in Libya and Egypt demonstrate the need to retain the best possible intelligence tools.
