Patrick Leahy: “the current consideration by the Congress of a rewrite of the USA PATRIOT Act is a significant event. These are…”

“the current consideration by the Congress of a rewrite of the USA PATRIOT Act is a significant event. These are important issues, and they have become increasingly important to the American people. This bill, more than any other, must have the confidence of the American people. I understand that and Chairman Specter understands that. I commend the chairman for his commitment to work in a bipartisan manner, both during the committee process and throughout the House- Senate conference. He and I agree with the vast majority of Americans that a reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act's expiring provisions must be accomplished in a bipartisan process, not in a bitter, partisan battle. The PATRIOT Act suffers from an image problem. This perception problem stems in large measure because of the rhetoric, practices and secrecy of the Bush administration and the Ashcroft Justice Department. The antidote is clear and it is simple--less secrecy, more congressional oversight, more judicial review and an adjusted balance that better protects the rights and liberties of all Americans. That is what we produced here in the Senate when first the Senate Judiciary Committee and then the Senate unanimously adopted our PATRIOT Act reauthorization bill. We worked together and we did so in a timely manner, completing our work in July. The Senate appointed conferees immediately. Regrettably, the House did not follow suit.…”