MESSAGE FROM SENATOR TED KENNEDY - The President Is Not Authorized
Once again, the Bush Administration has been caught abusing its power, and in doing so has undermined our ability to protect American citizens.

I take a back seat to no one when it comes to protecting our homeland and have worked to give the President the necessary tools to fight the war on terror. Yet, the Administration's reckless and irresponsible behavior weakens our national security interests, and undermines our very system of government. The President blatantly refused to work with Congress and the courts to conduct this program lawfully, even though past Presidents have worked within the law when conducting the surveillance programs necessary to protect our nation's security.

Because the President ignored the laws set by Congress to regulate domestic surveillance of US citizens, evidence collected through his warrant less wire-tapping program may not be admissible in courts, and our front-line intelligence officials have been put in serious legal jeopardy. By going it alone, the Administration has undercut our national security. Our nation must abide by the rule of law and the Constitution, and when we do not, we place our fundamental liberties and values at risk. Now we must make it clear to the President that no law supports these activities. Senator Pat Leahy and I have introduced Senate Resolution 350 to specifically address the legality of this Administration's program. Please review the language and then add your name to its supporters:

http://www.tedkennedy.com/res350

Our resolution rejects the Administration's argument that the domestic spying operation was improved implicitly in the "Authorization for Use of Military Force" that Congress passed in 2001 for the war in Afghanistan. There's no evidence that Congress implied any such thing in that resolution. Your signature will make it clear that Americans and their representatives in Congress never authorized the President to bypass our Constitution and laws:

http://www.tedkennedy.com/res350

Our national security is inextricably bound up with our constitutional rights as citizens of this country. This relationship is not a partisan question, but an American fact. Indeed, many Republicans have expressed outrage over President Bush's rejection of the need for lawful approval and oversight. You can help us correct the abusive actions of this Administration. Join us and show the President that we intend to stand strong both for our national security, for the rule of law, and for our basic constitutional rights:

http://www.tedkennedy.com/res350

No American - Republican or Democrat - can dispute the importance of protecting our nation, but we must fight for our values, too.