The Iraqi parliament has received deserved criticism because it is taking a vacation even though urgent business remains to be conducted. But, as Jed Babbin observes, our own Congress may be poised to take a month off without having passed legislation that would enable our intelligence services to resume intercepting communications between al Qaeda's commanders and individuals in the U.S.

We now know that, since April of this year, our intelligence gatherers have been unable to obtain some or all of these communications, thanks to a classified decision of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court. Congress could fix this problem if the Democratic majority would pass amendments to FISA. But, as a lengthy recess looms, the Dems seem inclined to put their partisan political games and grudges ahead of our national interest in figuring out what al Qaeda is up to.

Babbin notes, for example, that one major Democratic objection to proposed legislation is that the Attorney General would have an oversight role. Thus, "to the Dems, it’s worth missing another months’ electronic intelligence if they can put a sharp stick in ol’ Alberto’s eye."

But never question the Democrats' commitment to protecting the country from terrorism.

UPDATE: Here's the latest from Congressional Quarterly.

FURTHER UPDATE: The Director of National Intelligence, Mike McConnell, has issued this statement, which Rep. Hoekstra read on the House floor, about a proposal by House Democrats to amend FISA:

I have reviewed the proposal that the House of Representatives is expected to vote on this afternoon to modify the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The House proposal is unacceptable, and I strongly oppose it.

The House proposal would not allow me to carry out my responsibility to provide warning and to protect the Nation, especially in our heightened threat environment.

I urge Members of Congress to support the legislation I provided last evening to modify FISA and to equip our Intelligence Community with the tools we need to protect our Nation.

Via The Corner.

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Posted by Paul at 1:16 PM  |    |