Marco Rubio: Nation Less Secure as Terrorist Data Program Ends

Over the weekend, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who sits on the Intelligence Committee, once again insisted the nation was less safe as several intelligence programs were ended.

 Rubio is a vocal supporter of U.S. Sen Tom Cotton’s, R-Ark., “Liberty Through Strength Act” which reforms the “USA Freedom Act’s” ending of the terrorist metadata collection program until the start of 2017 when the White House can ensure the  new National Security Agency (NSA) collection system is up to par. 

"When the clock strikes midnight, Americans will be less safe because of a presidential leadership void and gross misinformation that combined to kill critical intelligence programs at a time of rising terrorist threats to the United States and our allies,” Rubio said on Saturday. “By abandoning these programs and enacting the USA Freedom Act, President Obama and his allies in Congress are unilaterally disarming the U.S. in the fight against terrorism and take away a valuable early warning tool from people whose sole duty is to keep us safe.  
 
"As the recent terrorist attacks in Paris have shown, now is the worst possible time to undermine the very tools that keep our people safe,” Rubio added. “We need a president who is willing to do what is necessary to protect our people and destroy ISIS. ‎I hope people will come to grips with the current threats facing our nation and join the effort that Sen. Tom Cotton and I have started to reauthorize these important programs before it is too late.‎"