Conyers and Scott Call for More PATRIOT Meetings

Statement

Citing a need to find common ground on matters of national security, today, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), and Crime Subcommittee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-Va.) called for additional dialogue with Committee Republicans on the reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Act.

"I believe that we are in agreement with the Majority on many of the issues under review in the reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act," said Conyers. "Where we are in disagreement, I believe we can reach a reasonable compromise. Above all else, I believe we can work out many of our differences before the Judiciary formally takes up the bill."

"We still have several unanswered questions about the PATRIOT Act. Is it necessary for the government to secretly search the homes of private citizens, delaying notice for months at a time? The FBI continues to issue tens of thousands of National Security Letters every year--has the agency fully addressed the widespread abuses of NSLs in years past? What is being done to prevent new problems with the NSL system? Should we allow the executive branch to so easily bring the full weight of the PATRIOT Act to bear on suspects in ordinary criminal cases?"

"It is our responsibility as members of the House Judiciary Committee to exhaust every resource to examine these issues."

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