Ayotte Statement on Renewing Counterterrorism Programs

Statement

Last night, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) voted in support of a two-month extension of current counterterrorism programs in order to allow Congress more time to consider how best to reform these programs while ensuring that our nation's intelligence personnel continue to have the necessary capabilities to prevent terrorist attacks and protect the lives of Americans. The measure failed by a vote of 45 to 54. Senator Ayotte voted against advancing the USA Freedom Act, which failed on a 57 to 42 vote. The Senate will now reconvene on May 31 to consider a path forward before the authorities expire on June 1. Senator Ayotte issued the following statement:

"The bulk phone metadata collection program collects phone records - including phone numbers, time, and duration of calls, but not content - that telecom companies have been collecting for years. Former FBI Director Robert Mueller and former acting CIA director Mike Morell have said that if the bulk metadata collection program was in place in 2001, it could have prevented 9/11. I support increased transparency and robust congressional oversight of our nation's counterterrorism programs, while simultaneously ensuring that our intelligence community has the tools it needs to prevent terrorist attacks and protect Americans.

"I am concerned that in its current form, the USA Freedom Act does not allow a sufficient transition period for ending the bulk phone metadata collection program, which could undermine our national security at a time when we confront increased terrorist threats. The USA Freedom Act also does not include sufficient assurances that telecom companies will properly preserve the metadata, which could hinder counterterrorism efforts. I am also concerned that under the USA Freedom Act, Americans' privacy could be at increased risk if insufficiently vetted private contractors are responsible for searching the metadata.

"The Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman is crafting a proposal that seeks to address these concerns. In order to allow those negotiations to continue and provide an opportunity for full consideration, debate, and amendments to that proposal, I supported a short-term extension of current law that would have ensured critical counterterrorism authorities did not lapse and endanger our national security. Because the extension failed to pass, the Senate will reconvene on May 31 before the authorities are set to expire, and I'm hopeful we'll be able to agree on a path forward."

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