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Speier Statement Opposing Patriot Act Extension

Statement

Date: Feb. 14, 2011
Location: Washington, D.C.
Issues: National Security Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today released the following statement after voting against extending three provisions of the USA Patriot Act which are set to expire in two weeks.

"Security and liberty are not mutually exclusive. The truth is you can't have one without the other. I support giving the federal government the tools it needs to monitor and intercept terrorist communications so we can protect our nation from a future attack. But the Patriot Act goes too far--trampling on our civil liberties under the guise of national security. Extending these provisions of the Patriot Act would continue to give the government broad authority to spy on American citizens without a warrant. On Friday, I introduced legislation to protect the privacy of all Americans from online trackers and financial institutions. Today I oppose the extension of these Patriot Act provisions in the very same spirit."


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