WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Statement by the
 Director of National Intelligence Mr. Mike McConnell:
     During the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
 Affairs hearing on September 10, 2007, I discussed the critical importance
 to our national security of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
 (FISA), and the recent amendments to FISA made by the Protect America Act.
 The Protect America Act was urgently needed by our intelligence
 professionals to close critical gaps in our capabilities and permit them to
 more readily follow terrorist threats, such as the plot uncovered in
 Germany. However, information contributing to the recent arrests was not
 collected under authorities provided by the Protect America Act.
 
 

SOURCE Office of the Director of National Intelligence