Udall, Shays, Maloney Fight for Stronger, Well-Funded Civil Liberties Board
Udall, Shays, Maloney Fight for Stronger, Well-Funded Civil Liberties Board
Offer 9-11 Commission Civil Liberties Board Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Christopher Shays (R-CT), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced legislation that strengthens the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and requires the President to provide a specific funding line for the Board. The 9/11 Commission Civil Liberties Board Act addresses the concerns the 9/11 Commission expressed in their Final Report Card, in which the Administration received a "D" for its "very little urgency" and "insufficient" funding for the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.
Original cosponsors of the 9/11 Commission Civil Liberties Board Act include Representatives Pete Stark (D-CA), Major Owens (D-NY), Ed Case (D-HI) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS).
"I believe during a time of war the government must have more powers. But with more power, comes the necessity for more protections of our freedom. The choice between security and liberty is a false choice," Shays said. "A robust Civil Liberties Board with a qualified staff and adequate funding is an important step towards protecting civil liberties. The bill we are introducing today does just that."
"The protection of civil liberties is perhaps more relevant than ever, but the civil liberties board as it currently exists is not what the 9/11 Commission envisioned or recommended," Maloney said. "A year and a half after it was created and a month after the board's Senate confirmation, it still hasn't even met. We need to get the board the tools it needs and the board needs to get to work."
Udall added, "Today, we are once again urging for a fully funded Civil Liberties Oversight Board to serve as our country's independent watchdog. The notion that our fundamental rights must be violated to maintain national security is outrageous. Clearly our country is headed in the wrong direction regarding protecting our civil liberties, and implementing this board will serve as an important first step to bring our nation back on course."
http://www.tomudall.house.gov/issues2.cfm?id=11680