Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 -- (House of Representatives - July 26, 2007)

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Mr. MACK. Mr. Chairman, I rise to briefly lend my support to the conservative goal of congressional oversight.

I have heard from many individuals and business leaders about section 505. It has caused the financial services sector to work overtime in complying with the section, and it has laid the foundation for an explosion in the use of National Security Letters.

Section 505 allows the executive branch to bypass the Constitution's procedures for search warrants and grants authority that Congress has a legitimate interest and role in monitoring.

This amendment simply asks the DOJ to conduct a review of their activities and ensure that the civil liberties of law-abiding Americans are not getting swept up in the process of keeping our Nation safe.

Mr. Chairman, we all agree that protecting this country is a top priority, but alongside that should be ensuring that our freedom is not threatened along the way. The best way this body can do that is through smart and direct oversight. This amendment calls for that.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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