Terrorists with the intentions of attacking the U.S. are closely watching the congressional debate over the Patriot Act — and hoping to find ways to strike in doing so, according to CIA Director John Brennan.
“I think terrorist elements have watched very carefully what has happened here in the United States,” Brennan said on CBS Sunday. “Whether or not it’s disclosures of classified information, or whether it’s changes in the law and policies, they’re looking for the seams to operate within. This is something that we can’t afford to deal with right now, because if you look at the horrific terrorist attacks and violence that’s being perpetrated around the globe, we need to keep our country safe.”
Brennan’s comments echo those by other officials from the Obama administration, who are pushing for Congress to renew three key provisions of the Patriot Act that expire on June 1.
“The tools that the government has used over the last dozen year to keep this country safe are integral to making sure we’re able to stop terrorist attacks,” Brennan said.
The Senate will adjourn Sunday afternoon in a last ditch effort to keep those provisions alive — specifically by trying to pass the USA Freedom Act, which has already passed in the House and has the support of the Obama administration. However, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is poised to do what he can to let the provisions expire.
Paul has faced increased criticism for his fight against the Patriot Act. Brennan chimed in on the criticism.
“Unfortunately, I think that there’s been a little bit too much political grandstanding and crusading for ideological causes that have really skewed the debate,” he said. “These tools are important to American lives.”
