USA Patriot Act

The Domestic Security Enhancement Act contemplated by the Justice Department has not been introduced in the Senate. There is no PATRIOT II bill pending in the Senate. I remain committed to ensuring that the powers extended to the Executive Branch are consistent with, and within the bounds of, our Constitution.

Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in an effort to enable law enforcement officials to track down and punish those responsible for those attacks and to protect against similar attacks. Generally, the act grants federal officials greater powers to trace and intercept terrorists' communications both for law enforcement and foreign intelligence purposes. It also reinforces anti-money laundering laws, tightens immigration laws, creates a few new federal crimes and increases the penalties for others.

I know there is a great deal of concern that the act may go too far. However, I do not believe this is the case. The act creates or retains existing judicial safeguards for the use of wiretapping and foreign intelligence authority, as well as for those provisions regarding access to e-mail and the sharing of grand jury information. Additionally, many of the wiretapping and foreign intelligence authorities expire on December 31, 2005.