WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement in advance of President Obama’s speech on intelligence reforms planned for tomorrow.
“I am pleased that President Obama plans to address the country on Friday on how we adequately might best balance constitutional rights with our national security. I remain concerned about the breadth and depth of our nation’s surveillance programs and the quality and comprehensiveness of the oversight of the intelligence community. I am eager to hear President Obama’s plans to address these key issues and urge him to 1) lay out a plan to scale back existing data collection programs; 2) establish a public advocate for the FISA Court system; and 3) create clearer reporting and transparency requirements between the Intelligence Community and Congress so that we can perform our oversight role adequately. These three issues, which I have worked to advance through legislation, must be a fundamental part of any effective intelligence reform.”