I just wanted to give everyone an update on where things stand with efforts to reauthorize the Patriot Act. With the help of many of you over the last couple weeks, not to mention your efforts over the past 4 years, we were able to prevent a
bad reauthorization bill from being pushed through earlier this month. However, because the "sunset" or expiration date of December 31st for several provisions of the Patriot Act is fast approaching, we know that over the next few weeks a final Patriot Act reauthorization bill will come before the Senate. We need to do everything we can to push for critical improvements to the draft final bill, or conference report, that we stopped a couple of weeks ago. It's time for everyone to let their voices be heard.
Senator Arlen Specter - Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a key negotiator in the House-Senate conference that is drafting the final bill - has argued that as long as the conference report is changed to create additional four-year rather than seven-year sunsets on a few key provisions, that provides enough protection. To me, that essentially says, "After four years of the government having power that is too broad, the best we can do is to extend that power for another four years and take another look at it then." That's not good enough to address the serious concerns raised by Americans across the country.
I am proud to work with a bipartisan group of six Senators who have made clear that the conference report needs to make significant, substantive improvements to the so-called "library records" provision, to National Security Letters, and to the provision authorizing secret "sneak and peek" search warrants. If it doesn't, I will do everything I can to fight it, including a filibuster.
This isn't about stopping Patriot Act reauthorization. The President could sign Patriot Act reauthorization into law tomorrow if the House would just take up and pass the Senate bill - legislation that was approved unanimously in the Senate earlier this year. The Senate bill created new safeguards for the most controversial Patriot Act powers. It includes important protections, but they are also modest and reasonable limitations on the government's powers. Unfortunately, the conference seems ready to abandon the consensus effort we crafted in the Senate.
As I said, I will do everything I can to stop a bad bill. I am asking you to do the same and now is the time. Whether it's contacting your elected official, writing a letter to the editor in your local paper, or simply talking to your neighbors and coworkers, everyone needs to know that the time has come to let your voice be heard. We are in the final days of this uphill battle. The American people have been calling for a new look at the Patriot Act for four long years. It's time to get the job done right.
Just a final note - I may not be able to respond today because I will be holding my final two Listening Session's of the year in southwestern Wisconsin. However, I thought it was important to let everyone know the latest about where we are at and what needs to be done now. I look forward to reading the conversation later this evening. Thanks again for your continued efforts.