http://judiciary.house.gov/media/pdfs/PatriotFJSfloorstate72105.pdf
Sensenbrenner House Floor Statement on USA
PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (RWis.)
delivered the following remarks during today’s House debate on reauthorizing expiring
provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.
Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3199, the “USA PATRIOT and Terrorism
Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2005.”
The attacks of September 11, 2001 tragically affirmed the urgency of updating America’s
laws to address the clear and present danger presented by international terrorism. On that day,
foreign terrorists maliciously and without provocation attacked the United States, murdered
thousands of our citizens, and destroyed symbols of our freedom in a failed effort to break the
spirit and resolve of the American people. We must also recall that these terrorists exploited
historic divisions between America’s law enforcement and intelligence communities that had
limited the dissemination of vital and timely information and increased America’s vulnerability
to terrorist attack.
In the wake of the 9/11 atrocities, broad bipartisan majorities in both Houses of Congress
passed the PATRIOT Act to lower the wall that prohibited our law enforcement and intelligence
communities from effectively sharing information, and to enhance investigatory tools necessary
to assess, detect, and prevent future terrorist attacks. U.S. law enforcement and intelligence
authorities have utilized expanded information sharing provisions contained in the PATRIOT
Act to gain critical knowledge of the intentions of foreign-based terrorists before they occur,
while preempting gathering terrorist threats at home.
While the PATRIOT Act and other antiterrorism initiatives have helped avert additional
attacks on our soil, the threat has not receded. Exactly two weeks ago, innocent citizens in
London were murdered in a series of ruthlessly coordinated attacks. Earlier today, it appears that
the London subway system came under renewed attack. Last year, the Madrid bombings brought
unprecedented terror to the people of Spain, and ongoing terrorist operations around the globe
demonstrate the imperative for continued vigilance.
When the House Judiciary Committee reported the PATRIOT Act in October of 2001, I
pledged to rigorously examine its implementation and the conduct of the war against terrorism.
In my words and actions as Committee Chairman, I have maintained this commitment and
emphasized the importance of better protecting our citizenry from terrorist attack, while at the
same time preserving the values and liberties that distinguish us as Americans. The legislation
we consider today reflects this careful balance.
H.R. 3199 is based on four years of comprehensive, bipartisan oversight consisting of
hearing testimony, Inspector General reports, briefings, and oversight letters. Since April of this
year alone, the Committee has received testimony from 35 witnesses during 12 hearings on the
PATRIOT Act. This extensive hearing and oversight record has demonstrated that the PATRIOT
Act has been an effective tool against terrorists and other criminals. Of no less importance, and
notwithstanding the vague and general suspicion expressed by some of its detractors, the record
also shows that there is no evidence that the PATRIOT Act has been abused to violate
Americans’ civil liberties.
To further allay the concerns expressed by some, H.R. 3199 makes important revisions to
Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act, which pertains to “business records” obtained through the
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act – or “FISA.” I would note that Section 215 is probably the
most misunderstood and misrepresented provision of the PATRIOT Act. H.R. 3199 clarifies that
the information likely to be obtained through a FISA warrant must relate to foreign intelligence
information not concerning a U.S. person, or must be information pertaining to an ongoing
international terrorism investigation or clandestine intelligence activities. The legislation also
explicitly clarifies that a section 215 order will issue only “if the judge finds that the
requirements have been met,” and provides a judicial review process to authorize a court to set
aside a section 215 order that has been challenged. Contrary to the unfounded allegations of
some, there is no evidence that a single section 215 order has been served on any library.
The Judiciary Committee conducted a nearly 12-hour markup of this legislation at which
43 amendments were offered and debated. The reported version of the legislation extends for 10
years the sunset on sections 206 and 215 of the PATRIOT Act. Section 206 pertains to “roving
wiretaps” under FISA. This crucial provision updates the law to reflect contemporary
communications technology by making a suspected terrorist, rather than a communications
device, the proper target of a wiretap. This sunset provision was approved by the Committee by
an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 26-2. However, while the legislation sets expiration dates on
certain provisions of the PATRIOT Act, congressional oversight of the entire PATRIOT Act
must be perpetual.
Let me conclude with the following point: for too long, opponents of the PATRIOT Act
have transformed it into a grossly distorted caricature that bears no relation to the legislation
itself. The PATRIOT Act has been misused by some as a spring board to launch limitless
allegations that are not only unsubstantiated, but false and irresponsible. Our constituents expect
and deserve substantive consideration of this vital issue, and I hope today’s debate reflects the
bipartisan seriousness the issue demands.
Mr. Chairman, the security of the American people is the most solemn responsibility
entrusted to Congress. Passage of the “USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention
Reauthorization Act of 2005" is vital to maintaining the post-9/11 law enforcement and
intelligence reforms that have reduced America’s vulnerability to terrorist attack. We must never
return to the pre-9/11 mind set that ignores the painful lessons of that day, as well as the tragic
experiences of our friends and allies. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support
this vital legislation.
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See...all I have to is to report what this big fat, F'KING BABY says...he puts his own foot in his own mouth and spews hte most vile, insance crap possible...on his own!
THE PATRIOT ACT IS THE BIG BROTHER ENABLING ACT!