Patrick Leahy: “I will speak for a while. It is my intent to then yield the remainder of my time to the distinguished Senator from…”

“I will speak for a while. It is my intent to then yield the remainder of my time to the distinguished Senator from Wisconsin. The Senate is going to soon vote to reauthorize the USA PATRIOT Act. I am one of the authors of the original 2001 PATRIOT Act. I voted to reauthorize an improved version of the act back in July of 2005. Obviously, I am concerned, as all Americans are, with our security. I am concerned, as is the distinguished Presiding Officer and the distinguished Senator from Wisconsin, as one who goes to work every day, along with thousands of others, in a building that was targeted for destruction by al-Qaida. So I am glad we are making progress. However, I have to admit to being disappointed at the missed opportunity to get it right. The PATRIOT Act provides important and valuable tools for the protection of Americans from terrorism. These matters should be governed by law, not by whim. Legislative action should be the clear and unambiguous legal footing for any Government powers. Former Congressman Armey, Dick Armey, the Republican leader of the House, and I insisted that sunset provisions be included in the 2001 act. Because we did that, we ended up with reconsideration and some refinement of the powers authorized in that measure. Now the challenge of Congress is to provide the effective oversight needed in the days ahead and to ensure that there is court review of the actions that affect the rights of Americans.…”