Senator Seeks to Curb Controversial "Patriot Act

[cal04]

Senator Russ Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat, is on a collision course with President George W. Bush over how much leeway should be given to intelligence agencies and law enforcement to wage their "war on terror".

Feingold has introduced three bills to limit provisions of the USA Patriot Act, legislation passed shortly after the Sep. 11, 2001 attacks that curtails civil liberties in the interest of cracking down on "terrorist" activities. Pres. Bush is pressing Congress to renew the controversial law without change.

Feingold's proposals would limit authority to delay notice of search warrants, restrict government access to library, bookseller, and other personal records for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes, and clarify conditions for computer surveillance.

Feingold, also the co-author with Senator John McCain of Arizona of a landmark campaign finance reform law, told the Senate, "I have many concerns with the Patriot Act. I am not seeking to repeal it, in whole or in part. My colleagues and I are only seeking to modify…provisions that pose serious potential for abuse."
"The privacy of law-abiding Americans is at stake, along with their confidence in their government," he said earlier this month. "Congress should act to protect our privacy and reassure our citizens."

http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=27626

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Ah yes Russ Feingold a true patriot