Boehner Says FISA Secret Session Necessary to Have Honest Debate About the Terrorist Threat
Boehner Discusses GOP Call for FISA Secret Session, Earmark Freeze, Democrats' Fiscally Irresponsible Budget
Washington,
Mar 13, 2008 -
In a weekly press briefing, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today talked in detail about Republicans’ call for the House to go into a secret session so that members can have candid discussions about the terrorist threat we face and the urgent need to pass the bipartisan Senate passed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Boehner also discussed the Democrats’ budget and the largest tax increase in history currently being debated on the House floor as well as the need for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to allow a vote on an earmark moratorium requested by House Republicans. Key excerpts and audio from the briefing follow:
BOEHNER ON THE NEED TO BRING THE BIPARTISAN SENATE FISA BILL UP FOR A HOUSE VOTE
“I think we need to have a candid discussion about the urgent need to give our intelligence officials all the tools they need to protect the American people. Sometimes we have these conversations in public settings, other times we have them in more classified briefings. And with that in mind today, our Whip Mr. Blunt, will ask that the House enter into a secret session so that we can have an open and honest debate about some of the important details of this program that don’t need to be aired in public hoping that our Members will understand how serious the threat is and how important these programs are for the safety and security not only for the American people, but our soldiers on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world.” (AUDIO)
BOEHNER ON THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN HISTORY PROPOSED BY DEMOCRATS
“For the second straight year Democrats have produced a budget that has the largest tax increase in American history in and more wasteful Washington spending and no entitlement reform. Republicans are fighting for a smaller, more accountable government with lower taxes and this budget debate that we’re having is really -- it’s about as straightforward as they come: Do you think Washington ought to have more of your money, or less? And do you think Washington -- the government here ought to be getting bigger, spending more of your money, or less? And so, I think given what’s going on in the economy, the last thing the American family wants to do is give more of their hard- earned money to the federal government.” (AUDIO)
BOEHNER ON THE NEED FOR AN UP OR DOWN VOTE ON IMMEDIATE EARMARK FREEZE
“It seems that the speaker is getting closer to joining House Republicans in supporting the freeze on earmarks. I’m disappointed we’ve not yet had a vote on this. But the fact is that we ought to have a vote on this. The Senate is going to have a vote today on an earmark moratorium. And I think the appropriate way to do this is to let the House work its will. If the Speaker isn’t going to announce one on her own, let’s let the House work its will and let’s have a vote of the members and see where the House is. But I think it’s time for us to -- as we get closer to this budget season, that we ought to have a vote in the House, and, frankly, we ought to have a moratorium.” (AUDIO)
