“Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the program helped to disrupt ‘terrorist plots’ on U.S. soil. ‘It is lawful,’ the California Democrat insisted. ‘It has been briefed by Congress.’ Reps. Mike Rogers and Dutch Ruppersberger, the two top Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee, both stressed that ‘this important collection tool does not allow the government to eavesdrop’ and that it is routinely reviewed by Congress. White House spokesman Josh Earnest further stressed the importance of ensuring ‘we have the tools we need to confront the threat posted by terrorists (and to) protect the homeland.'”
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/06/politics/nsa-verizon-records/index.html
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