Today we face new threats around the globe generations before us did not have to worry about. Melissa supports a strong national defense. This can only be achieved by providing our service men and women with the resources they need. Intelligence agencies must be given the appropriate resources to keep us safe. The current Congress is playing political games with important national defense issues - like blocking vital legislation such as the Protect America Act, which updates our surveillance laws so that our intelligence and law enforcement officials have the ability to keep terrorists from exploiting loopholes that have not kept up with current communications technology. Protecting America from terrorist attacks and keeping a strong defense are not partisan issues and Melissa will fight hard to keep this covenant to defend our nation.