article_snippet: The head of U.S. intelligence has warned Congress that not renewing the NSA's controversial phone snooping program will 'raise the risk' of another terror incident.
article_snippet: Clapper claims failing to extend part of the Patriot Act, which allows the bulk collection of telephone records, will take away a vital tool in the kit of the intelligence agency.
article_snippet: Clapper told a meeting in New York that failure to renew Section 215 of the Patriot Act - which allows mass collection of phone records - would effectively raise the risk of a terrorist incident . '
article_snippet: In the end, Congress giveth and Congress taketh away,' Clapper told the group gathered at the Council on Foreign Relations. '
article_snippet: If the congress in the Council on Foreign Relations wisdom decides the juice is not worth the squeeze that's fine: the intelligence community will do all the intelligence community can within the law to do what the law can to protect the country. '
article_snippet: Senator Patrick Leahy brought forward a bill last year, supported by Clapper, which  would have meant phone companies were in charge of keeping the records rather than the FBI or NSA.
article_snippet: However, Clapper remains a defender of the program. '
highlights_snippet: Clapper said failure to renew will mean the loss of a vital 'tool' for spies .
  