Anti-Terrorism Bill Cleared For Final House, Senate Passage ___________ Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On House Passage Of Anti-Terrorism Bill Oct. 24, 2001 The bill that we have brought back to the House and the Senate is a far better bill than proposed to us by the Administration and a better bill than either body passed initially. We have distilled the best elements of both bills and added checks and balances that were missing from the Administration's draft. We have done the White House a great favor by taking the time actually to read and improve this bill before passing it. The final bill also includes practical steps from the Senate bill to strengthen security on the Northern Border and to facilitate the hiring of translators by the FBI. Had the House taken the traditional step of requesting a House-Senate conference when it followed Senate action by approving its earlier bill on Oct. 12, I have little doubt that the conference committee would have concluded its work by now and there would be a final bill signed into law. Nevertheless we were committed to promptly and responsibly resolving differences between the two bills. Last week I joined Speaker Hastert, Leader Gephardt, Majority Leader Daschle, Republican Leader Lott, Chairman Sensenbrenner and others in working out the basic outlines of the final bill. The result of that process is a more balanced anti-terrorism bill that puts back into the legislation vital improvements that will make a difference. I am especially pleased that we have added back provisions on money laundering and biological weapons. We have included a four-year sunset provision that will go hand-in-hand with the close congressional oversight that will be crucial in making sure that these new law enforcement powers are not abused. # # # # #