Patrick Leahy: “the supplemental contains a provision, section 1711, which was carefully worked out through discussions between my…”

“the supplemental contains a provision, section 1711, which was carefully worked out through discussions between my office, the offices of Senator Specter, Senator Brownback, Senator Kennedy, Senator Coleman and Senator Feingold, as well as with representatives of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the Department of State, and the National Security Council. This provision contains six subsections, (a) through (f). Subsections (a) and (d) were written by the administration. Subsections (b) and (f) were written by the Senator from Arizona, Senator Kyl. Subsection (c) provides an exception for cases involving duress, which is consistent with the administration's policy except that this provision would codify it into law. Section (e) is a reporting requirement. That is the whole provision. It represents months of discussion and compromise on an issue that has been a focus of concern of faith-based organizations and humanitarian organizations, conservative and liberal, Democratic and Republican. Here is the background. Current law, as a result of overbroad amendments in the PATRIOT Act and Real ID Act, has been used to bar refugees and asylum seekers who were either members of groups who fought on the side of the United States, such as the Hmong, the Montagnards, and the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan, or who were the victims of terrorist groups and forced to provide ``material support,'' such as food, shelter, or other services.”