[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   USA PATRIOT ACT ADDITIONAL REAUTHORIZATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 2006

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
extreme disappointment with S. 2271, the USA PATRIOT Act Additional 
Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006. This bill purports to increase 
protections for libraries and people who have been issued National 
Security Letters and Section 215 intelligence orders, though in 
reality, it offers very little recourse for U.S. citizens.
  I voted against the Patriot Act Reauthorization in July 2005, and the 
conference report in December 2005. Neither version of H.R. 3199 
sufficiently balanced the needs of law enforcement to protect our 
country, with the protection of our civil liberties. In December, I 
stated my firm belief that it is possible to be safe, free, and to 
protect security while still respecting civil liberties. Unfortunately, 
H.R. 3199 did not recognize this reality, and neither does S. 2271.
  The amendments that were added make it harder to challenge a Section 
215 intelligence order than before. Currently, recipients may challenge 
the gag order immediately after receiving a Section 215 intelligence 
order. However, S. 2271 would make the recipient wait one year before 
having the opportunity to challenge the gag order.
  I have expressed in the past my serious concern regarding the use of 
National Security Letters to access Internet records in public 
libraries. While this bill attempts to exempt libraries from receiving 
National Security Letters, it fails terribly. According to S. 2271, 
libraries are only exempt from National Security Letters if they do not 
offer Internet access--a preposterous claim in this day and age, and an 
unrealistic expectation. This exemption does nothing to protect public 
libraries, or their patrons, from having their privacy invaded by the 
Federal government, and I do not support this provision.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 2271 does nothing regarding the Patriot Act to allay 
the concerns that Democrats and Republicans alike have regarding the 
protections of our civil liberties. It is disappointing that the 
Administration has chosen to embrace extreme measures in the name of 
fighting terrorism, over protecting the civil liberties we all cherish 
so much. These need not be mutually exclusive--we can fight terrorism, 
keep our country safe, and respect the rights and liberties that 
generations of Americans have fought so hard to uphold. Mr. Speaker, I 
cannot support these additional amendments and intend to vote against 
S. 2271.

                          ____________________