Issue Position: Civil Rights - PATRIOT Act

Issue Position

Congressman Kucinich has expressed deep concerns regarding the loss of civil liberties since September 11, 2001. He continues to stand out in Congress as a leader in the fight to restore liberties in America. He stood strongly opposed to the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act, a bill that permits the government to conduct secret internet searches, to enter American homes without showing a warrant, and to grab reading lists, financial records, and health records based on suspicion not fact. Congressman Kucinich has also spoken in opposition to efforts to expand the powers of the PATRIOT Act in the future.

During debate on the Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations bill, Congressman Kucinich co-sponsored an amendment offered by Rep. Otter of Idaho to restrict the use of funds to carry out "sneak and peak searches" or searches and seizures of property carried out by the government without notifying the person being searched. The amendment passed the House by an overwhelming bi partisan vote of 309-118.

Congressman Kucinich also authored the bi-partisan "Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act" (HR 3171), a bill that repeals the most dangerous sections of the original PATRIOT Act, including provisions that authorize sneak and peak searches, warrantless library, medical, and financial record searches, and the detention and deportation of non-citizens without meaningful judicial review. The True Patriot Act also repeals an assortment of other federal policies adopted since 9/11 including executive orders, regulations, and other actions that threaten fundamental rights. For instance, HR 3171 solidifies the bedrock right of attorney-client privilege. The bill also restores transparency in the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security by revoking FOIA secrecy orders, along with eliminating the use of local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws.

Congressman Kucinich is committed to working toward policies that achieve both liberty and safety for all Americans. Repealing portions of the PATRIOT Act that restrict Constitutional liberties is a primary focus of his work in Congress.

Source