April 13, 2005

PATRIOT ACT FACT OF THE DAY:

Congress enacted the PATRIOT Act by overwhelming, bipartisan margins, arming law enforcement with new tools to detect and prevent terrorism. The PATRIOT Act was passed by the Senate 98-1, and 357-66 in the House, with the support of members from across the political spectrum.

(For today's Fact, visit the government website for Patriot Act information.)

The USA PATRIOT ACT and Government Actions that Threaten Our Civil Liberties

With great haste and secrecy and in the name of the “war on terrorism,” Congress passed legislation that gives the Executive Branch sweeping new powers that undermine the Bill of Rights and are unnecessary to keep us safe. This 342-page USA PATRIOT Act was passed on October 26, 2001, with little debate by Members of Congress, most of whom did not even read the bill. The Administration then initiated a flurry of executive orders, regulations, and policies and practices that also threatened our rights….

(View the complete article.)