Patrick Leahy: “last week, the Committee on the Judiciary did something that the administration has been urging us to do all year--we…”

“last week, the Committee on the Judiciary did something that the administration has been urging us to do all year--we reported a bill that reauthorizes every expiring provision of the USA PATRIOT Act. This achievement was particularly notable for its bipartisanship. Following months of intense negotiations involving members from both sides of the aisle, we produced a consensus bill that won the support of every member of the committee. I commend Chairman Specter and all members of the committee for their work on this important legislation. We made possible something that many of us would have thought impossible just a few weeks ago: a PATRIOT Act improvement and reauthorization package approved by every Member of the U.S. Senate. The bill we pass today--S. 1389, as reported--has three key elements. First, the bill protects the privacy interests of Americans. It requires the Government to convince a judge that a person is connected to terrorism or espionage before obtaining their library records, medical records or other sensitive personal information. It also requires the Government to notify the target of a ``sneak and peek'' search within 7 days, instead of the undefined delay that is currently permitted by the PATRIOT Act. Second, the bill enhances judicial oversight and protects free speech rights.…”