Washington, D.C. - Mr. Speaker, I rise to explain my decision to vote against this version of the Patriot Act. This has not been an easy decision. Some of the provisions that are being reauthorized in this bill provide law enforcement officials with important tools that may be helpful in detecting and disrupting terrorist activities. I support those provisions. Other provisions, however, fail to provide adequate safeguards to ensure that the privacy rights of innocent citizens are protected. It is very important that, in our effort to defend the liberties that Americans cherish, we not enact measures that erode the very freedoms we seek to protect. We can ensure that the government has the necessary surveillance powers without sacrificing the privacy rights of Americans. Indeed, many amendments to the Patriot Act were proposed in both the Judiciary Committee and the Rules Committee to address legitimate concerns. Unfortunately, these amendments were either rejected or blocked from coming up for a vote.
In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, it is essential that we strengthen our ability to detect, deter, and disrupt terrorist activities. Many provisions in the Patriot Act accomplish this objective in a balanced way. Other provisions, however, leave citizens vulnerable to unchecked, unwarranted, and potentially abusive invasions of privacy. I am hopeful that the Senate will address these shortcomings in the House bill so that, at the end of the day, we can enact a balanced bill that protects both our security and the rights and liberties we seek to secure.
We can do better. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues – both Democrats and Republicans – to develop a bill of which we can all be proud and which can be a true testament to American patriots and the Constitution we all seek to uphold and defend.