Patrick Leahy: “I am disappointed that some Senator is preventing the Senate from taking an important step forward to combat identity…”

“I am disappointed that some Senator is preventing the Senate from taking an important step forward to combat identity theft and to protect the privacy rights of all Americans by passing the Leahy-Specter Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act of 2007. This bipartisan cyber crime bill, which was requested by the Department of Justice, will provide new tools to Federal prosecutors to combat identity theft and other computer crimes. I know that it is cleared for passage by all Democratic Senators. The dangers of identity theft and other cyber crimes continue to increase as our Nation becomes more dependent on high technology. In fact, just last week, FBI Director Robert Mueller stated that ``[c]yber threats will continue to grow as people become more and more dependent upon digital technology'' and ``we will be vulnerable to terrible attacks.'' Prompt Senate action on this bill will bring us one step closer to providing greatly needed tools to the Federal prosecutors and investigators who are on the front lines of the battle against identity theft and other cyber crimes. I urge those objecting to proceeding on this bill to reconsider their actions and allow the bill to be considered and passed.”