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Engel Blasts Republican Strong Arm Tatctics

Date: July 8, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights


ENGEL BLASTS REPUBLICAN STRONG ARM TACTICS

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) blasted House Republicans for using strong arm tactics to defeat an important amendment. The amendment would curtail the U.S. Patriot Act by preventing government agents from using the secret federal intelligence court to access the reading records of library or bookstore patrons. On the Floor today, Several Republicans broke ranks and joined House Democrats in supporting the amendment. Then the Republican Leadership broke traditional House protocol and kept the vote open until they could twist enough arms to get Members to change their vote and kill the amendment.

"This use of strong arm tactics to defeat an amendment that would ensure Americans can go to their libraries and read
whatever they want without the fear of their government looking over their shoulders is an outrage," said Rep. Engel.

"The freedom of thought and expression is one of the most sacred rights in this country. These rights should not be curtailed for any reason. Preventing terrorist attacks is of the highest important, but trashing the Constitution is not the right way to do it."

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