On the recordFebruary 14, 2011
Ladies and gentlemen, here we go again. Last Tuesday on February 8 when this measure came up, it was defeated. It was a bipartisan vote. There was a full and fair discussion. Twenty-six Members on the other side joined with us to make sure that this measure was adequately examined for the flaws. It's not that the Patriot Act isn't important or needed. It's just that it's flawed. The most flawed provision of the three provisions is the one I want to comment on briefly, and that is the so-called 'lone wolf' provision--someone operating on his own and not particularly attached to anyone. This provision allows our full national security surveillance powers, which are designed to be used against enemy governments, to be used against a single individual who is unaffiliated with any foreign power or terrorist group. Now, it is widely known that this provision has never been used. It hasn't been used because there are no terrorists; it hasn't been used because it doesn't have to be used. The Department of Justice, by its own admission, has other powers to go after these individuals. And that's why it hasn't been used. And because we got a closed rule from the Rules Committee, we weren't able to work out an agreement to take it out. Therefore, I come before you today to urge that we do not accept this measure. It is way too broad.
