On the recordFebruary 17, 2011
As the gentleman from New York knows, Congress is considering temporary extension of the same Patriot Act authorities that are targeted in this amendment. The reauthorization process, not in this CR, is the proper venue to consider any changes to existing intelligence-gathering laws. Applications for FISA orders seeking library circulation records and book sales records may only be approved by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Deputy Bureau of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or the Executive Assistant Director for National Security. This authority cannot be further delegated. There is absolutely no evidence that this authority has been abused or misused to unlawfully acquire library or business records. This prohibition could create a safe haven for terrorists to utilize America's libraries and bookstores to conduct research or communicate with each other. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.'' I reserve the balance of my time.
