Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),
Ranking Democratic Member, Senate Judiciary Committee,
To The President’s Call For PATRIOT Act Sequel Legislation
September 10, 2003

“These proposals mirror the draft sequel to the PATRIOT Act that emerged earlier this year.  After all the criticism of that sequel and the secretive way it was drafted, the Administration now has decided to push a sequel, without calling it a sequel.

“And after spending huge amounts of taxpayers’ money touring the country, Attorney General Ashcroft still hasn't explained why we should trust him with more secret powers.  We need less self-promotion and lobbying, and more consultation and cooperation.

“Since the attacks of September 11, Congress has been more than willing to consider giving the government more police powers in the war on terrorism, and Congress has done that.  But giving the government more power is dangerous when that power is mixed with the kind of unilateralism and arrogance that have characterized this Administration’s Justice Department.  Many in Congress this time will be wary of writing any more blank checks for this Administration, without more accountability.  

“Since passage of the PATRIOT Act two years ago, it has become increasingly apparent that the trust and cooperation Congress offered the White House has been a one-way street.  No Administration in memory has been more secretive, more resistant to congressional oversight and more disposed to acting unilaterally. 

“The Attorney General promised there would be an honest and open discussion if the Administration proposed more changes in the law.  That has not happened.  For such a debate to be fruitful, we need to know more about the tools that are already available, including those created by the PATRIOT Act.  Which are working, and how well?  Which are not working, and why not?  Which may have struck the wrong balance, threatening the civil liberties of the American people while doing little or nothing to make the nation more secure?

“Extracting answers from the Administration about its use of PATRIOT powers has been a continuing exercise in frustration.  With the current lack of meaningful oversight of the government’s existing anti-terrorism authorities, what sort of meaningful debate can we expect on these new proposals?

“The American people need and deserve honest answers to these questions.”

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