Political Quotes

“In 2001, I voted against the USA PATRIOT Act because it granted law enforcement powers too broad, too removed from oversight, and at the expense of Americans' civil rights. I am disappointed that H.R. 3961 simply extends three of these provisions without any additional protections or oversight. This is a missed opportunity to rebalance the need to pursue violent extremists with the need to respect our own citizens. Continuing to allow the government to obtain ``any tangible thing'' relevant to a terrorism investigation, including library records, is a disturbingly low bar. We can do better. Committees in the House and Senate have offered drafts to improve the PATRIOT Act, and I strongly suggest that we move forward immediately to amend this law. The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired. Pursuant to House Resolution 1109, the previous question is ordered. Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further proceedings on this motion are postponed. ____________________”