Russ Feingold

This was a deliberate campaign to hold on to power and subvert the will of the people that was expressed in the March 29 elections.

I strongly urge that the United States begin shifting assistance policies toward recovery and reconstruction to a broader and more focused engagement.

We also call on the nations of Africa, in particular the members of the Southern African Development Community, to ensure that Mugabe and his cohorts fully implement the GPA and work toward democratic reform.

However, it is improbable that this can be achieved through negotiations with the junta--a dictatorship will not act in good faith and broker a deal that will lead to its own demise.

We cannot, in effect, pick sides in this process.

I believe political progress would be at the top of the list.

if Mugabe and other hard-liners in the government continue to obstruct progress, or if the transitional government were to collapse, what punitive policy options do you think the United States should consider that haven't previously been…

My suggestion, again, is engage in a very targeted way.

Direct support to the MDC, if that's what you're suggesting, would be a mistake.

We need strong rules and clear rules.

I'm going to say it is quite extraordinary to grant government agents the statutory authority to secretly break into American's homes in criminal cases.

sneak and peak search warrants were requested 763 times but only three of those initial requests were in terrorism cases?

I have a full statement that I ask be placed in the record.

the improvements that have been proposed by Senator Feingold and by Senator Leahy are so important.

I also ask that letters in support of the Justice Act bill that we have introduced be placed in the hearing record as well.

the Patriot Act provided statutory authority for the government to obtain that special sneak and peak, criminal search warrants

I introduced legislation along with Senator Durbin and eight other senators that takes a comprehensive approach to fixing the USA Patriot Act and the FISA Amendments Act.

my concern that critical information about the implementation of the Patriot Act has not been made public.

the lack of safeguards contributed to the misuse of NSLs?

As I recall, it was in something called the USA Patriot Act which was passed in a rush after an attack on 9/11 that had to do with terrorism.

Yet Director Muller said the FBI has not made any changes to the way it handles 215 gag orders.

So is the option of a criminal wire tap order an adequate alternative in the Lone Wolf situation?

It permits the government to conduct necessary surveillance but within a framework of accountability and oversight.

I'm glad the committee is moving forward on Patriot Act reauthorization.

The Senator from Alabama, I really enjoy working with him, but I wish I remembered those victories.