Liberal lawmakers defy Obama on Patriot Act
Submitted by LatinsforPaul on Fri, 11/06/2009 - 12:07
Liberal lawmakers defy Obama on Patriot Act
Liberal members on House Judiciary Committee defy administration on Patriot Act change
LARRY MARGASAK
AP News
Nov 05, 2009 17:36 EST
Defying the Obama administration, the House Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to remove from the USA Patriot Act a tool for tracking non-U.S. citizens in anti-terrorism investigations.
The committee, dominated by Democratic liberals, also voted to amend the anti-terrorism law to curb the government's surveillance and seizure powers.
The bill went to the full House on a 16-10 vote along party lines, with Republicans casting all the votes in opposition. GOP lawmakers said the legislation would hinder law enforcement and intelligence agencies in fighting terrorism.
The legislation would allow the Patriot Act's never-used "lone wolf" section to expire at the end of the year. The provision permits the government to spy on non-Americans even when they're not linked to a recognized terrorist group.
The Justice Department has asked that the "lone wolf" authority be continued, even though it hasn't been needed yet. Patriot Act revisions before the Senate would retain the tool, but the House Democrats said normal criminal investigative tools could be used instead.
Three sections of the Patriot Act expire at year's end, giving lawmakers the opportunity to amend the law.
Congressional liberals believe the act tilts too far in favor of law enforcement and intelligence agencies while failing to protect Americans' privacy against government snooping and seizures.
The bill before the Senate, approved by that chamber's Judiciary Committee, would make it easier than the House legislation for authorities to obtain tangible items, including business and library records, and conduct wiretaps.
In addition to eliminating the "lone wolf" language the House bill would place restrictions on national security letters, which are FBI demands for information that do not need a judge's approval.
Continue reading: http://wire.antiwar.com/2009/11/05/liberal-lawmakers-defy-ob...
They'll shove it back into the bill
in the Senate/House conference procedure.
That's the method they like to use these days, to circumvent any inconveniences to their powers.
Smoking mirrors. There will
Smoking mirrors. There will be something more sinsiter to replace the Patriot Act.
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny."- Thomas Jefferson
"It is better to vote for what you want and not get it than it is to vote for what you don't want and get it." --Eugene V. Debs
Well...... this is encouraging.... pressure must be building
on the part of their constituencies. FINALLY!
_________
A Man's Country Is Not A Certain Area Of Land,
Of Mountains, Rivers, And Woods,
But It Is A Principle......
And Patriotism Is Loyalty To That Principle .
- George William Curtis
Rationality is the recognition of the fact that nothing can alter the truth and nothing can take precedence over that act of perceiving it. Ayn Rand (1905 - 1982), Atlas Shrugged
Likely yesterdays 'event' in
Likely yesterdays 'event' in TX will change all that and justify Obama in keeping it and FISA too, along with more troops deployed.
.
Trust in God, but tie your camel tight.
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/profile.php?member=KathyLa...
http://www.ohiofreedom.com/subd/
Trust in God, but tie your camel tight.
http://www.ohiofreedom.com