Dianne Feinstein NSA: Senator Says Phone Records A 'Major Tool' But Not 'Indespensible'

During an interview with MSNBC on Tuesday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) claimed phone records collected by the National Security Agency (NSA) were not "indispensable" in preventing terrorism though act as a "major tool" in protection, The Guardian reported.

Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate intelligence committee and NSA supporter, suggested the Supreme Court should take in all the facts before deciding on the constitutionality of the process.

"I'm not saying it's indispensable," Feinstein said. "But I'm saying it is important, and it is a major tool in ferreting out a potential terrorist attack."

"It is my belief we live in a world with serious jeopardy to this nation. And those of us on the intelligence committee see this frequently. Therefore, this program, in conjunction with other programs, helps keep this nation safe," she added.

Now that the issue of NSA collection methods have become such a hotly contested issue in the country, it's in the hands of the nation's highest court to decide what happens next.

"Only the supreme court can resolve the question on the constitutionality of the NSA's program," Feinstein said. "I welcome a supreme court review since it has been more than 30 years since the court's original decision of constitutionality, and I believe it is crucial to settling the issue once and for all. In the meantime, the call records program remains in effect."

Just one day earlier, Judge Richard Leon of the U.S. District Court announced that the Obama administration and the NSA did not show how the collection of the data "actually stopped an imminent terrorist attack," but instead was "faster than other investigative methods might allow."

Ever since Edward Snowden, former NSA contractor, revealed the data collecting programs run by the NSA, Feinstein fiercely defended the practices as absolutely necessary.

"We would place the nation in jeopardy if we were to end these two programs," Feinstein said at a hearing in July.

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