Patrick Leahy: “I am disappointed that one or more Republican Senators are holding up final passage of the 21st Century Department of…”

“I am disappointed that one or more Republican Senators are holding up final passage of the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, H.R. 2215. This bipartisan bill is supported by the Bush Administration and cosponsored by Senator Hatch, the ranking Republican Member of the Judiciary Committee. It was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee back on October 30. This bill, with a bipartisan amendment authored by Senator Hatch and myself, has cleared the Democratic cloakroom for final passage but someone on the other side of the aisle has placed a secret hold on it. I would urge my Republican friends to permit the Senate to take up and pass this critical legislation. The 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, provides permanent enabling authorities which will allow the Department of Justice to efficiently carry out its mission. At a time when the Department of Justice is conducting the most sweeping investigation into terrorist conspiracies in our Nation's history, the Senate should pass this legislation. Indeed, Title II our bipartisan bill provides the Department of Justice with additional law enforcement tools in the war against terrorism.”