Russ Feingold: “I understand that some of my friends and colleagues in this body have come to an agreement with the White House on…”

“I understand that some of my friends and colleagues in this body have come to an agreement with the White House on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. While I respect these Senators greatly, I am gravely disappointed in this so-called deal. The White House agreed to only a few minor changes to the PATRIOT Act conference report that could not get through the Senate back in December. These changes do not address the major problems with the PATRIOT Act that a bipartisan coalition has been trying to fix for the past several years. We have come too far and fought too hard to agree to reauthorize the PATRIOT Act without fixing those problems. A few insignificant changes just doesn't cut it. I cannot support this deal, and I will do everything I can to stop it. I understand the pressure that my colleagues have been under on this issue, and I appreciate all the hard work that they have done on the PATRIOT Act. It has been very gratifying to work on a bipartisan basis on this issue. It is unfortunate that the White House is so obviously trying to make this into a partisan issue, because it sees some political advantage to doing so. Whether the White House likes it or not, this will continue to be an issue where both Democrats and Republicans have concerns, and we will continue to work together for changes to the law. I am sure of that.…”