Statement by U.S. Representative Diana DeGette on NSA Secret Wiretaps

Statement by U.S. Representative Diana DeGette on NSA Secret Wiretaps

American privacy latest victim of Republican rubber stamp Congress

Today, U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) released the following statement regarding the revelation that the National Security Agency (NSA) has been secretly collecting the phone records of millions of Americans.

"This is what happens when the government doesn't have a system of checks and balances. The NSA spying revelation clearly shows us the urgent need for Congressional oversight and review of Bush Administration programs.

"This is not some isolated wiretapping of a suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist. The NSA is collecting records of billions of domestic calls, giving them access to millions of ordinary Americans. President Bush has reached a new low with this latest wiretapping scandal.

"I was pleased to learn that Qwest stood up to the NSA and refused to take part in this program. The company is to be commended for protecting the privacy of its customers. It's troubling that AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth did not. That is why I have asked Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) of the Energy and Commerce Committee to hold a hearing to investigate these allegations. We need to get to the bottom of this and ask these companies what personal data they gave to the NSA and why."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/co01_degette/nsa.html