Just cause my congressman likes to keep his constituents in the know on these things. LOLOL
Knowing of your interest in the surveillance activities that the National Security Agency (NSA) is undertaking at the request of the Bush Administration, I wanted to update you on recent related developments.
Today, an article in USA Today revealed that the NSA, with cooperation from AT&T, Verizon, and BellSouth, has been collecting the phone records of millions of Americans. According to the article, these records were obtained without the warrants phone companies usually demand before releasing information. I have joined Reps. Jan Schakowsky, John Dingell, Edward Markey, and others in signing a letter to Chairman Joe Barton of the Energy and Commerce Committee, on which I serve and which has jurisdiction over issues related to telecommunications, asking him to hold hearings to investigate these reports.
In addition, the Associated Press reported today that the NSA has denied lawyers from the Department of Justice Office of Professional Responsibility the security clearance necessary to investigate the Justice Department's role in the NSA's programs, causing the Justice Department to end its inquiry entirely.
I am gravely concerned about the legality and the extent of the programs that the Bush Administration has authorized. Surveillance of terrorists and terrorist groups is unquestionably appropriate, but it must be undertaken without treading on the civil liberties our Constitution guarantees. Congress must exercise its authority over these agencies and programs.
Please be assured that I will continue to follow this issue closely.
Sincerely,
Tom Allen Member of Congress
For information on many legislative issues you can also visit my website at www.tomallen.house.gov.
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