Jim Sensenbrenner: “At the outset, let me say I'm a little bit puzzled that my friend from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) is opposing the extension…”

“At the outset, let me say I'm a little bit puzzled that my friend from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) is opposing the extension of these three provisions of the Patriot Act today because last year, he called up a Senate bill that provided for a year's extension of these three provisions, and managed the time and voted for it. And after hearing his comments, I'm wondering why he has changed his mind. In 19 days, three national security laws will expire unless Congress votes to reauthorize them. H.R. 514 temporarily extends these laws-- FISA business records, roving wiretaps, and the lone wolf definition-- until December 8 of this year. As chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in the last decade, I oversaw the enactment of the USA PATRIOT Act in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Title II of the act addressed enhanced foreign intelligence and law enforcement surveillance authority. Sixteen sections of that title were originally set to expire on December 31, 2005. Also set to expire on that date was section 6001 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which is the lone wolf definition. In 2005, I again spearheaded the effort to reauthorize the Patriot Act.”