Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA), Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence & Terrorism Risk Assessment, today released the following statement on the killing in Syria of Hezbollah leader Imad Mugniyah and the resulting potential for heightened threats against the United States.

The killing in Syria of Imad Mugniyah, however it was accomplished, is a welcome event.  While it is important to take the threat of Hezbollah reprisals seriously, the United States continues to have ample authorities to conduct necessary surveillance and other intelligence operations. 

The expiration of the Protect America Act will not affect those activities.

I disagree with DNI McConnell’s claim in today’s Washington Post that an out-of-date FISA has caused gaps in US intelligence; that the country goes dark if Congress allows the deeply flawed Protect America Act to expire.  By continually playing the fear card, the Administration has eroded its credibility on Capitol Hill, and the House this week rightly chose not to be jammed again.

The stage is now set for passage of more responsible legislation and a real conference with our Senate colleagues.