[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 172 (Sunday, November 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E2423]]
 H.R. 2417, THE FISCAL YEAR 2004 INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION CONFERENCE 
                                 REPORT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2003

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, it is with great dismay that I rise to 
oppose H.R. 2417, the Fiscal Year 2004 Intelligence Authorization 
Report.
  The Republican Leadership inserted a controversial provision in the 
FY04 Intelligence Authorization Report that will expand the already 
far-reaching USA Patriot Act, threatening to further erode our 
cherished civil liberties. This provision gives the FBI power to demand 
financial and other records, without a judge's approval, from post 
offices, real estate agents, car dealers, travel agents, pawnbrokers 
and many other businesses. This provision was included with little or 
no public debate, including no consideration by the House Judiciary 
Committee, which is the committee of jurisdiction. It came as a 
surprise to most Members of this body.
  It is of great concern that the Republican Leadership, along with the 
Administration and Attorney General Ashcroft, would seek to include 
such a non-germane, controversial provision into what should otherwise 
be a nonpartisan bill. Furthermore, the Republican Leadership, in the 
Senate defeated an attempt to ``sunset'' this provision when they 
considered it. It is clear the Republican Leadership and the 
Administration would rather expand on the USA Patriot Act through 
deception and secrecy than debate such provisions in an open forum. The 
freedoms and civil liberties of the American people are too important 
to allow such an irresponsible, abusive power play by the Majority.
  The importance of our intelligence community has grown significantly 
in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks and the subsequent, 
continuing campaign against terrorism. The FY04 Intelligence 
Authorization Report includes a number of positive, beneficial 
provisions designed to improve our counterintelligence capabilities, 
strengthen our ability to share information between the federal 
government, local and state officials, and provide for our intelligence 
officers and their families. It is unfortunate that such a 
controversial provision had to be included.

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