Spying on Congress

Floor Speech

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Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last week The Wall Street Journal reported that the National Security Agency, the NSA, is actively spying on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one of our Nation's closest allies. This revelation comes just 2 years after the President's announcement that the United States would cease spying on our allies.

The Journal wrote: ``Officials said Obama insisted that keeping tabs on Netanyahu served a `compelling national security purpose.' ''

Specifically, the President sought to learn about President Netanyahu's opposition to the dangerous Iranian nuclear deal. In so doing, the NSA also intercepted personal, direct communication between Members of Congress, the Prime Minister, and his staff.

An editorial by The Post and Courier--republished in The Hill this week--raised important questions about the legality of the NSA's sharing private conversations with the White House and not discarding or getting judicial permission. Regrettably, this is another example of the President's disregard for our Constitution by spying on Congress, corrupting the NSA.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and may the President, by his actions, never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Our sympathy to the family of Staff Sergeant Matthew McClintock, an American hero.

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