Get on Herb (Part II)

Both my wife and I received replies to our letters to Herb Kohl. We got pretty much the exact same thing back. Here it is

"April 6, 2006
Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I value the
input I get from people back home in Wisconsin, and I would like
to take this opportunity to address your concerns.

The recent revelation that the President authorized the
National Security Agency (NSA) to monitor telephone calls and e-
mails of United States citizens without obtaining a warrant or court
order raises important legal questions. The Bush administration
argues that it has the legal authority, both under the Authorization
to Use Military Force in Afghanistan and the President's inherent
powers as Commander in Chief, to order the warrantless electronic
surveillance of U.S. citizens and others inside the country.
However, a great number of legal experts in this area disagree.

I strongly believe that the President, Congress, and the
courts all share a common goal: to protect our country. If terrorists
are operating in this country, or people in this country are
communicating with terrorists, we must give our government the
tools it needs to protect the American people. However, security,
the rule of law, and the protection of civil liberties are not mutually
exclusive concepts; we can have all three. If our laws are
inadequate, they should be changed, but they should never be
ignored. In the meantime, Congress must conduct vigorous
oversight of the executive branch, including the President's
authorization of the NSA warrantless surveillance program, to
ensure that the rights of innocent Americans are not being violated.

As you know, on March 13, 2006, Senator Russ Feingold
(D-WI) introduced S. Res. 398, a resolution to censure President
George W. Bush. Censure is a formal statement of disapproval that
carries no penalty, aside from the condemnation itself. Senator
Feingold argues that President Bush violated the Constitution and
the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) by
approving domestic wiretapping of American citizens without
seeking a court order.

This resolution has been referred to the Judiciary
Committee, of which I am a member. An initial hearing on
censure was held on March 31, 2006. In addition, the Committee is
conducting other hearings in the broader issue of the NSA
warrantless surveillance program. I remain committed to this
process, and to hearing both sides of the issue. It would be
inappropriate for me to make premature judgments, but I will listen
carefully as this process unfolds and the investigation into the
Administration's actions moves forward.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. You
can be sure I will keep your thoughts in mind as Congress
continues to consider this very important issue. Please do not
hesitate to contact me again if I may be of any further assistance.
Sincerely,
Herb Kohl
U.S. Senator"