My working assumption is the NSA has God power and root on everything and everyone. They do not need to call anyone. This is timely PR posturing that NSA is mortal and deserves our sympathy and further budget aid.
In what way is this sympathetic to the NSA's budgetary needs?
Expensive phone bills?
"Gawdammit Senator, our people actually have to get on the phone to ask these people for this kind of information, and frankly, its downright embarrassing!"
I suppose that they could break into any system and have stockpiled a lot of exploits. The problem is that it is usually a one shot thing. The moment it goes public this means it cannot be used anymore. So it is a bit like the Martin Fury - one hit kill but only limited charges.