Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I thank the distinguished Senator from Illinois for his comments. In less than 2 weeks, the current short-term extension of three authorities authorized by the USA PATRIOT Act will expire. I thank the two leaders for working to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to consider the expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, and to do so in a way that ensures that these authorities do not lapse while the Republican majority in the House and new Senators consider these measures. The bill I introduced on January 26, and that the Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider this week, is based on the bill the Judiciary Committee considered and passed with a bipartisan majority last Congress. It includes additional adjustments made at Senator Kyl's suggestion after the committee reported the bill in 2009. I will urge the Judiciary Committee to report that legislation again, and I will urge the Senate to consider and pass the improvements to the USA PATRIOT Act that we have proposed, during this short, additional 90-day extension. The original USA PATRIOT Act included important sunsets that were supported by both Republicans and Democrats. I believe that the sunsets suggested by Dick Armey back in 2001 have been a good thing. I have tried to conduct aggressive oversight of USA PATRIOT Act surveillance authorities since the bill was originally enacted in 2001. The sunsets have been helpful in that process.…”