For Second Consecutive Day, Republicans Skip FISA Meeting, Stall Bipartisan Efforts

As noted yesterday, on February 14th, Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers announced that he would remain in Washington to work on FISA issues after Republicans voted unanimously against an extension of the Protect America Act. President Bush then left on a trip to Africa after stating that he might cancel it, and House Republicans returned to their districts after pledging to stay through the recess to work on legislation. Yesterday, Republicans prevented their staff from attending a bipartisan working meeting on FISA, and then announced that there would be "no compromise" on the legislation, indicating that they prefer to go without any legislation than attempt to work together for a solution that will satisfy all parties. Today they reinforced that position by refusing to allow their staff to attend a second working meeting.

From Majority Leader Hoyer:

Hoyer Disappointed White House, Republicans Refuse to Work on New FISA Law

WASHINGTON -- House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today regarding progress on a new Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act:

"Democrats continued today to work hard on crafting a new FISA bill that will keep our nation safe and protect our civil liberties. We were disappointed that not only Congressional Republicans but also the Bush Administration refused to join us in these critical negotiations. This refusal simply puts partisanship and politics ahead of our nation's urgent national security interests.

"In addition, the Bush Administration repeated its assertion today that the expiration of the Protect America Act has resulted in intelligence gaps. If this is true, then it was grossly irresponsible for the President to threaten to veto and Congressional Republicans to vote against a PAA extension and any intelligence gap would be one of their own creation. Again, if Republicans truly believe gaps are created by a PAA expiration, they should support a temporary extension and join us in quickly crafting a strong, bipartisan FISA modernization bill that represents the best of the House and Senate passed bills."

From the Judiciary Committee:

House and Senate Committee Chairs Continue to Work on FISA, Administration and Congressional Republicans Refuse to Join

(Washington, DC)- House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) released the following statement after committee staffs met for a second day to discuss Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) reform legislation:

"Today, our staffs met again in what should have been a bipartisan, bicameral meeting with our Republican colleagues' staffs and Administration officials to continue working through the recess period on important reforms to FISA. Again, the Republicans refused to join the dialogue. And today, neither the Justice Department nor the Director of National Intelligence sent representatives. Today was another missed opportunity.

"Further politicizing the debate, the Administration today announced that they believe there have been gaps in security since the Protect America Act expired. They cannot have it both ways; if it is true that the expiration of the PAA has caused gaps in intelligence, then it was irresponsible for the President and congressional Republicans to block an extension of the law. Accordingly, they should join Democrats in extending it until we can resolve our differences.

"We continue to be disappointed in the failure of the Administration and Republican members of Congress to participate in these very important discussions, but we remain extremely committed to this process. Americans deserve a carefully thought out bill, and we will continue to work to put America's security first."