◆ SpookStack

Tt would have given notice to the target of the NSL if the government later seeks to use the records obtained from the NSL against him or her in a subsequent proceeding. And it would have given the target an opportunity to receive legal counsel and challenge the use of those records. The bill would also have authorized the FBI to obtain documents that it legitimately needs while protecting the privacy of law-abiding American citizens. The abuses by the DOJ and the FBI are proving that these legislative fixes are a necessary check on the investigatory power. We do not trust govemmment always to be run by angels, especially not this administration. It is not enough to mandate that the FBI fix internal management problems and recordkeeping, because the statute itself authorizes the unchecked collection of information on innocent Americans. Congress must act now to fix the statute authorizing ~ ‘the abuses revealed in the 1G. report and to hold those responsible for these abuses and violations accountable. Thank you. TI yield back. CONYERS: Thank you. The chair recognizes the distinguished gentleman from Arizona, the ranking minority member of the Constitution Subcommittee, Trent Franks, for two and one-half minutes. FRANKS: Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, today our task is a vital one: to check and balance our sister branch of government through oversight and to ensure citizens’ rights are being properly safeguarded. Today's subject is somewhat delicate because we must all walk a fine line. ln our grave and critical responsibility to prevent jihadist atlacks upon American citizens, we musl also be careful to strike the proper balance between vigilance and fighting the enemy on the one side of the scales and the preservation of citizens’ rights on the other. The report of the inspector general that we review today is hopeful. We see that while there are human imperfections in the FBI's operation, there was an overall finding that the FBI is indeed carrying out its duties responsibly, there being no evidence of any intentional or deliberate act to violate the law, and that NSLs are performing their vital function as a valuable tool in national security investigations. FRANKS: To put today's hearing in perspective, we should keep in mind that the issuance of NSLs under the Patriot Act is a relatively new process, given that the Patriot Act is only a few years oid and that this new use of NSLs will necessarily require a careful examination of their best and most appropriate use in this early period. Certainly, we will have to work out the kinks, given that we are most likely in the business of fighting terror for a long time to come.