The Patriot Act, one of the most prominent expansions of federal authority, will expire at the end of February unless Congress votes to extend it. With time running short, Republicans and Democrats alike are frantically trying to put their ideas on the table for consideration.
Former President George W. Bush established the Patriot Act after Sept. 11 in October 2001, to prevent terrorism. Since established, the act has dramatically reduced restrictions on law enforcement agencies’ ability to search e-mails, telephone, medical and financial records.
It has also improved restrictions on foreign intelligence gathering within the United States, expanded the Secretary of the Treasury’s authority to regulate financial transactions (particularly those involving foreign individuals) and broadened the discretion of law enforcement and immigration authorities in detaining and deporting immigrants suspected of terrorism-related acts.
The act also expanded the definition of terrorism to include “domestic terrorism” which would enlarge the number of activities to which the Patriot Act’s expanded law enforcement powers apply. Overall, this act has given us more safety and security within and around our borders.
On Friday, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., announced a bill Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wi., proposed, which would extend three provisions of the law through Dec. 8, 2011. The first provision authorizes the FBI to use roving wiretaps on surveillance targets. The second allows the government to access “any tangible items,” such as library records, in the course of surveillance.
The third is known as the “lone wolf” provision of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act. It allows for surveillance of targets that are not connected to a specified terrorist group. Basically it allows the FBI to monitor suspects.
The Patriot Act has had bipartisan support for the past ten years but has come under fire recently by some Democrats. The left is concerned it interferes with the privacy of Americans.
However, according to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Tx., “The intelligence and law enforcement communities that are responsible for preventing terrorist attacks need to know that the tools they rely on to keep the American people safe will not be weakened or allowed to expire.”
The problem being faced now is timeliness. Two Republicans and one Democrat have proposed bills to view. Congress must make its decision before the act expires Feb. 28.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., introduced an extension to the act titled the USA Patriot Sunset Extension Act, which would extend the three surveillance authorities and “provide for increased oversight of U.S. intelligence gathering tools.” His proposal would extend the three provisions until the end of 2013.
The main concern here is that terrorism will never go away, so why make any extension temporary? Two Republicans, Chuck Grassley, R-Ia.,and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., are in agreement with making any changes permanent. Grassley’s proposed bill would be a permanent change.
Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mi., said, “Just as recent as Christmas Day, we were reminded that we are still at war with terrorists who are engaged in an illegal war with our nation.”
Americans will forever be burdened with the fear of terrorist attacks. The Patriot Act needs to be extended for the safety of this country. Simple temporary additions are not good enough. Any changes must be permanent.