HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner

Washington, Mar 13, 2008 - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement on the call by GOP leaders to move the U.S. House of Representatives into a secret session to discuss the terrorist surveillance program authorized under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA):  

“Republicans believe a secret session is necessary so that we can have an honest debate about this critical national security program. Democratic leaders consistently cite a lack of access to classified information as their reasoning for not acting responsibly and passing the Senate bill, even though Speaker Pelosi was briefed repeatedly after 9/11 and never objected to these programs. Democratic leaders cannot hide behind these excuses any longer.  

“We must give our intelligence officials all the tools they need to keep the American people safe, as well as protect patriotic third parties who have helped us defend this country since 9/11.  It’s our hope that Members will come away from this briefing with a better understanding of 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.  We shouldn’t leave Washington until Congress completes its work and sends President Bush the bipartisan, Senate-passed FISA bill to protect the American people.”  

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