Immunity Prevents Disclosure of Sensitive Intelligence (Sen. Orrin Hatch)

Wednesday’s Judiciary Committee hearing on the FISA Amendments Act included powerful and persuasive testimony from the Department of Justice. I am hopeful that my Judiciary colleagues observed and understood the relevant testimony which explained the necessity for immunity for private lawsuits against telecommunication companies alleged to have assisted the government after the heinous attacks of Sept.11. As long as these frivolous lawsuits continue, there is an increased likelihood that classified sources and methods of our intelligence community will be unnecessarily disclosed. Make no mistake; indemnification is an unacceptable response for myriad reasons. Limited and appropriate immunity, which is represented in the bipartisan FISA Amendments Act, is the best solution to a difficult situation.