Revelations this week by Britain's Guardian newspaper that the federal government is sweeping up records of communications and transactions between millions of Americans has members of both houses of Congress calling for thorough investigations into the allegations. Among them is New York's junior senator.
Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand told reporters in Albany while she appreciates the need for intelligence gathering, a balance must be maintained.
"Our civil liberties are vital, so it's important to protect them. So, you have to find the balance, and what I intend to do is to look at the program very seriously to assess if that balance is being reached."
Gillibrand said those senators who do not serve on the intelligence committee should be fully briefed on the extent of the Prism Program.