Pelosi Statement on Judiciary and Intelligence Committees Passing FISA Reform Bill

'The Intelligence and Judiciary Committees have approved a bill to restore constitutional checks and balances to the way electronic surveillance is used to gather intelligence.  The RESTORE Act gives the government all the tools necessary to acquire under the law the intelligence that can keep our country safe.

'At the same time, the bill protects the privacy of Americans by putting the FISA court back in business and assuring strong oversight of surveillance activities by Congress.  The two committees also reaffirmed Congress' constitutional role by refusing to consider granting retroactive immunity to companies that participated in the President's warrantless surveillance programs until the Administration has provided Congress with full information about those programs.

'We can and must protect and defend the Constitution as we protect and defend the American people.'