WASHINGTON – Today, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC) made the following statement on today’s USA Freedom Act vote, which he opposed:

“The evening news is a nightly reminder that our country is under constant threat from terrorist groups and established nations who will stop at nothing to see us fall,” said Chairman Burr. “We have a dedicated intelligence community, staffed by patriotic Americans, that does everything it can to protect our nation using tools that are legal, valid, and effective. The amendments offered did not alter the structure of the House bill. They were reasonable modifications that extended the transition time to ensure that the new system was up to the task, and required the phone companies to notify the government when they planned on changing their data retention policies. I am disappointed in the final bill and, quite frankly, am very concerned about the new system’s ability to keep up with the threats we face.”