[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCING LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING FUNDING FOR THE PRIVACY AND CIVIL 
                            LIBERTIES BOARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 2006

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation authorizing $3 million annually over the next ten years for 
the Privacy and Civil Liberties Board. Additionally, my legislation 
requires the President to include a line item request in his budget 
proposal every year. I am pleased to be introducing this bill with the 
support of the Democratic Members of the House Permanent Select 
Committee on Intelligence.
  In December 2004, President Bush signed the Intelligence Reform and 
Terrorism Prevention Act into law. Included in this bill was language 
establishing the Privacy and Civil Liberties Board, a cornerstone 
recommendation of the 9-11 Commission. The Commission understood that 
in the emotional aftermath of September 11th, it was important to 
provide objective oversight of the protection of our cherished civil 
liberties.
  This oversight is the main purpose of the Privacy and Civil Liberties 
Board. The Board has been established to review proposed regulations 
and Executive Branch policies' effects on civil liberties, particularly 
related to the War on Terrorism.
  Many saw the creation of this board as a promising step in protecting 
us from terrorism while maintaining the civil rights of everyone. 
However, more than a year after the legislation was signed into law, 
the Board has yet to hold its first meeting. As a matter of fact, the 
first Board members were only approved a year ago. Even more, because 
the Board is housed within the Office of the President and operates at 
the behest of the Administration, Congress itself is not able to 
appropriate $1 for its operation because we never authorized any 
spending. With no substantive work performed by the Board to date, it's 
as though the Board only exists in the spirit of the law--not in its 
letter. If that was Congress's true intent, then the Board might as 
well only exist on paper, or as an illusion in our minds. But it 
wasn't, and that's why this legislation is absolutely necessary.
  Realize, Mr. Speaker, the most disturbing lack of support for the 
Board has come from the Administration itself. In the President's 
budget request for fiscal years 2005 through 2007 and the requests for 
supplemental funding, there have been no funds requested specifically 
for Board operations. Zero! Without this funding, the Board cannot even 
buy a pencil much less develop a plan to accomplish its tasks.
  The Administration's failure to fund the office, coupled with the 
inactivity of the Board, leads one to question the commitment of the 
Administration to ensuring the protection of privacy and civil 
liberties. Does the Administration welcome an objective review on civil 
rights issues regarding its terrorism policies or would it rather 
govern in a vacuum? Would the President rather operate behind closed 
doors without questions from, or accountability to, any oversight 
board? Unchecked policies shrouded in secrecy will do nothing to help 
this country maintain checks and balances between safety and civil 
rights.
  The bill I am introducing authorizes $3 million in annual funding for 
the Board so that Congress can do what the President has failed to do. 
This funding level will ensure that adequate resources are available 
for sufficient staff and resources to support critical statutorily 
mandated activities of the Board. This includes reviewing proposed 
regulations and policies related to countering terrorism, the 
implementation of laws, regulations and policies related to countering 
terrorism, and advising the President and department heads on matters 
impacting privacy and civil liberties.
  It's time that we demand that the Administration stop dragging its 
feet on funding the Privacy and Civil Liberties Board. If civil 
liberties are of any concern to this body and the President then there 
is no reason to stall the progress of the Board by denying it the money 
it needs to get started. I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation to fully fund the Privacy and Civil Liberties Board so that 
it can get about the business of protecting the liberties and security 
of all Americans.

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