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Congress debates Patriot Act
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by Ann Babe
Friday, April 8, 2005
As provisions of the USA Patriot Act approach expiration, Congress members held hearings Tuesday to review the controversial law and begin its reauthorization process.
The oversight schedule, which will be comprised of regular hearings of the Committee on the Judiciary, began with an announcement made by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Gonzales testified his support for modifying Patriot Act section 215, which currently permits the Court of the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act to order the production of such personal items as business records, drivers’-license records, apartment-leasing records and credit-card records. Although section 215 has not been implemented to gather library records, there are concerns over the possibility.
Section 215 does not specifically reference library records, but there is a real possibility the section could be used for this purpose in the future, according to U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, the only senator to vote against the Patriot Act.
“Recently, an administration official [implied] that concerns about library records were unfounded because the Patriot Act does not specifically mention libraries,” Feingold stated in a press release. “That’s true, of course, but section 215 relates to business records of any kind, including library records.”
Gonzales agreed to the changes in section 215, clarifying that those ordered by the provision have the right to an attorney, and records taken must be relevant to national security.
In addition to section 215, Congress will review 15 other provisions of the law, an action Feingold describes as “[having] been missing for so long.”
While the Patriot Act is considered by many to be a success, others find the law to be a dangerous threat to the civil liberties of innocent people. The American Civil Liberties Union, in particular, has cited the act as troubling in its facilitation of unchecked government power.
Conversely, the Republican Party of Wisconsin sees the law as crucial to the nation’s fight against terrorism.
“The Patriot Act has proven to be an essential tool in the war on terrorism,” Republican Party spokesperson Chris Lato asserted. “By and large it is necessary because there are many folks out there who would love to do our nation harm.”
Though Lato admitted the Patriot Act is not flawless — a fact “anyone could tell you” — he maintained its indispensable importance.
“The state party has not taken a view on any specific changes that ought to be made. … As of now, we’re letting the [congressional hearing] process play itself out,” Lato added.
Provisions of the Patriot Act are in position to sunset at the year’s end unless Congress renews them. The congressional hearing will continue through April and into May.
According to a press release made by U.S. Rep. and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wisconsin, reauthorization of the Patriot Act will be one of the most important tasks Congress faces this year.
“Lawmakers will focus a keen eye on all aspects of this law and how it has been implemented,” Sensenbrenner said. “What improvements, if any, are needed? Does the Patriot Act deserve to be made permanent? These are a few of the questions that will be asked.”
