Claiming Section 215 of the Patriot Act `` is being used to engage in a nationwide dragnet of telecommunications records '' and that the government is relying too much to cover up what it 's doing through classified programs , Conyers said he is co-sponsoring legislation that would address `` the overbreadth and impenetrability of the surveillance programs . '' NEW : Leaks go `` to the heart of our efforts to combat terrorism , '' W.H . spokesman says . NEW : Obama believes the programs balance security , privacy issues . Comment: Democratic Rep. Conyers and others challenge the covert programs .
NEW : Leaks go `` to the heart of our efforts to combat terrorism , '' W.H . spokesman says . NEW : Obama believes the programs balance security , privacy issues . Comment: Democratic Rep. Conyers and others challenge the covert programs .