On the recordFebruary 15, 2011
I will support this extension because it gives the Senate time to properly consider this critically important legislation. But before I support any additional extensions of the PATRIOT Act, I believe we should have an honest discussion about changes and reforms that are necessary to protect the constitutional rights of innocent Americans. It is worth taking a moment to reflect on the history of the PATRIOT Act. The PATRIOT Act was passed almost 10 years ago after the 9/11 terrorist attack. Ground Zero was still burning when President Bush asked Congress to give him new authority to fight terrorism. Congress responded, passing the PATRIOT Act by an overwhelming bipartisan vote, including my own. It was a unique moment in our history. But even then, many were concerned that the PATRIOT Act might go too far when it came to our constitutional rights and freedoms. As a result, we put an insurance policy in the law, a sunset clause on the PATRIOT Act's most controversial provisions.
