Hon. Michael G. Oxley: “I support the rule and I will support the conference report. I think there are a lot of positive things that are in the…”

“I support the rule and I will support the conference report. I think there are a lot of positive things that are in the conference report, including mandatory victims' restitution, a bill that I have introduced in several Congresses and hope will finally get a signature for that particular provision, habeas corpus reform, which I have also supported, and particularly the FBI counterterrorism center and funds available for that counterterrorism center. I think that the conference committee overall did an excellent job in crafting this legislation. I have to agree, however, with my good friend from New York, Mr. Schumer, on one particular provision that was left out of the conference report, and that is the multipoint wiretap provision. I can see no reason why that particular provision, which was requested specifically by the FBI and by Director Freeh, would be left out of the conference report. All of the safeguards that are currently in the law regarding wiretaps would be contained in that provision. Wiretaps are an important tool of law enforcement to try to determine, before these kinds of tragedies exist and before they happen, to be able to catch the particular individuals involved. That is what law enforcement is all about. Let us understand one thing here. The FBI and law enforcement is not the enemy.”