On the recordFebruary 14, 2011
I regret and will always regret that I was too weak to vote my conscience when we had the Patriot Act up the first time. I did not feel good about it. As a non-attorney and as an American who loves the Constitution and who believes in the civil liberties that are guaranteed, this country too many times has sold itself to the Federal Government to take care of it. I make reference, Mr. Speaker, to a book that was written by Judge Andrew Napolitano. He is a well-known constitutional lawyer who is on Fox News from time to time. The title of the book is 'A Nation of Sheep.' He actually wrote this book in 2007, years after we passed the Patriot Act. He goes through every aspect of the Patriot Act, which he believes sincerely is a serious violation of the civil liberties of the American people.
