Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 514, which would extend for 1 year sweeping governmental intrusions into our lives and privacy that were authorized by the USA PATRIOT Act and the 2004 Intelligence Act. Without meaningful oversight and committee deliberations demonstrating that these extraordinary powers are needed, we should not extend these provisions for one full year, or for any period of time for that matter, and I therefore oppose the bill. I am opposed because I simply do not accept the argument that, in order to be safe, we necessarily have to sacrifice our rights and freedoms. I agree with Benjamin Franklin, who stated during the formation of our Nation: "They who give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." One of the provisions in the bill reauthorizes section 215 of the Patriot Act, which gives the government power to secretly invade our private records, such as books we read at the library, by merely alleging that they are relevant to a terrorism investigation but without having to show that the seized material is in connection with any specific suspected terrorists or terrorist activities.”