Washington—Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on the future of the NSA call records program:

“I continue to believe the phone records program authorized by Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act plays an important role in detecting and preventing terrorist attacks against the United States. Again, this program collects only phone numbers and the duration and times that calls are made—it does not collect the content, names or locational information of calls.

“I also believe the call records program has been carried out consistent with the Constitution and the law and under strong oversight by all three branches of government. Like the president, I therefore support its continuation.

“The president is looking at alternatives and modifications to the current program that would continue to provide the intelligence community with key information about the communications of suspected terrorists and their associates plotting inside the United States.

“If there are alternatives that preserve the operational effectiveness of the call records program and can address privacy concerns, I am certainly open to changes. I look forward to the recommendations being prepared by Attorney General Holder and Director Clapper.

“Our government must have the tools to quickly address the real, continuing and evolving terrorist threat we face.”

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