On the recordJune 9, 2015
Madam Chair, this amendment is well- intentioned, I realize, but I think it is an overreach and certainly not appropriate for this appropriations bill. Records of license plate information can serve as a helpful clue to investigators. They can produce leads in criminal cases. This information is also used routinely by law enforcement and by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to help find missing children. I understand there are legitimate privacy concerns. I share those concerns. But there is already a Federal law that governs the use of such data. The data is not used to track citizens in real time, despite what some assert. Putting restrictions on law enforcement's ability to obtain and use this license plate information without really fully exploring the facts or giving due consideration to the consequences, this needs to be done by the appropriate committees. But doing it here tonight seems risky and unreasonable, actually, to expect us to legislate on this matter in the context of this appropriations bill. Madam Chair, I will insert into the Record a letter from the Fraternal Order of Police and other law enforcement entities asking Congress not to limit the use of this information. National Fraternal Order of Police, February 23, 2015. Hon. Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. Harry M. Reid, Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. John A.…





