Christie backs NSA phone records collection, Patriot Act

AMHERST, N.H. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says the National Security Agency's bulk collection of phone records should continue and says the Patriot Act should be renewed in its current form.

The likely Republican presidential contender spoke in the early-voting state of New Hampshire Friday.

A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that the NSA's unprecedented bulk collection of American's phone records is illegal because it was never authorized by Congress.

But Christie says he's confident Congress and the Justice Department can provide appropriate oversight to ensure data is collected constitutionally.

The former U.S. attorney for New Jersey also called on Congress to renew the Patriot Act, parts of which are set to expire June 1.

Christie says it's an important tool for preventing terrorist acts before they occur.

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