Alcee Hastings: “Mr. Speaker, as my good friend, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Myrick) noted, H.R. 3129, the Customs Border…”

“Mr. Speaker, as my good friend, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Myrick) noted, H.R. 3129, the Customs Border Security Act of 2001, authorizes the budget for the U.S. Customs Service, the United States Trade Representative, and the International Trade Commission. These three agencies are vital parts of our government, as they police our borders and promote the export of U.S. manufacturers. The underlying bill was originally considered by this Chamber in December of 2001 under suspension of the rules, and it failed to gain the two-thirds majority needed for passage. H.R. 3129 failed because many of us on both sides of the aisle had grave concerns about the damage this legislation does to our civil liberties, our right to privacy, and bonus pay for Customs Service agents. For example, under section 141 of this legislation, customs officers are granted immunity from lawsuits stemming from personal searches of people entering the country, so long as the officers conduct the search in good faith.”