Dems delay hearing on critical shanges to FISA

CNS News:

House Republican leaders Tuesday criticized what they called an "11th hour decision" by Democrats to put off a hearing on updating the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until after Congress' August recess, warning that "national security can't be postponed."

"Democrats have ignored, downplayed, and done everything possible to sidestep addressing the FISA problem," said House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) in a news release. "Now, they have canceled a hearing with the director of national intelligence (DNI) rather than have him address the issue directly on Capitol Hill."

DNI Mike McConnell was scheduled to appear before the House Subcommittee on Community Management on Tuesday to report on the implementation of the 100-day plan he launched in April to address problems that have plagued intelligence efforts.

As part of his presentation, McConnell was expected to discuss updating FISA along the lines given by President Bush during his radio address last Saturday.

Instead, the long-scheduled hearing was canceled by the Democrats after business hours on Monday - with no explanation given.

"It's a matter of fact that our nation faces a heightened risk of terrorist attack, and Director McConnell has identified a critical gap in our intelligence coverage," Boehner stated. "He is exactly the person we need to hear from on how Congress can address this issue."

Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) agreed with Boehner's criticism of the Democratic majority on the committee, where he serves as the top Republican.

"It appears they are afraid to even risk talking about FISA because the intelligence gap is real and no amount of their rhetoric will make it go away," Hoekstra said. "This hearing would have provided a critical opportunity for the American people to learn more about one of the most pressing intelligence issues our nation faces."

...

Democrat actions on FISA have been irresponsible since the law was first proposed and passed. If they are not going to repeal it, which they should, then they should at least amend it so it makes sense in the current environment. That is what the hearing were supposed to accomplish and the terrorist will not be going on vacation during this period. If we miss the dots it is because our national security is not one of the Democrats' priorities.

Don Surber has more on Pelosi's broken promise. Fox News reported that there may be a deal in the works in the Senate on changing the FISA requirements. I heard Jim Angle reporting on the Brit Hume show, but so far have not been able to find other reports.