Senators’ Patriot Act ‘fixes’ would eliminate telecom immunity

[kpete]

Source: Raw Story

Senators’ Patriot Act ‘fixes’ would eliminate telecom immunity

By Raw Story

Published: September 17, 2009
Updated -2135 second ago



In advance of an upcoming Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on renewing the USA Patriot Act, a group of U.S. Senators have proposed a series of “fixes” to the controversial Bush administration legislation which they say will help better safeguard Americans’ rights.

The “Judicious Use of Surveillance Tools In Counterterrorism Efforts” (JUSTICE) Act was proposed by Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jon Tester (D-MT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Among the “fixes” to the Patriot Act, key among them is the repeal of telecom immunity, passed in the waning months of the Bush administration and supported by then-Senator Barack Obama. The legislation essentially excused American telecommunications companies from legal liability were they discovered to be involved with illegal activity at the behest of the Bush administration.

A press release from the senators explains: “The JUSTICE Act reforms include more effective checks on government searches of Americans’ personal records, the ’sneak and peek’ search provision of the PATRIOT Act, ‘John Doe’ roving wiretaps and other overbroad authorities. The bill will also reform the FISA Amendments Act, passed last year, by repealing the retroactive immunity provision, preventing ‘bulk collection’ of the contents of Americans’ international communications, and prohibiting ‘reverse targeting’ of innocent Americans. And the bill enables better oversight of the use of National Security Letters (NSLs) after the Department of Justice Inspector General issued reports detailing the misuse and abuse of the NSLs. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, September 23rd, on reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Act.”

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An advisory detailing the bill follows.

Read more: http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/09/17/senators-patriot-act-fixes-would-eliminate-telecom-immunity/

[ixion]

1. I don't want more effective checks on BS laws...

I want the laws repealed. Period.

[Mari333]

2. thats a start! now,

after that, get rid of the PATRIOT ACT ALTOGETHER.

[endless october]

3. get rid of it.

we sent 60 of you to Washington. get rid of the patriot act.

[ezgoingrl]

4. Get rid of it all together.

It is a piece of crap legislation based on fear and lies. Trash it!

[No Elephants]

5. When Tester and Sanders are on board together, you know it's necessary.

As usual, Feingold is on the correct side of history.

Good on all of them.

[Solly Mack]

6. K&R

[Tim01]

7. Get rid of it. nt

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. Horses, meet Barn.

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

9. Telecom

:redbox: :tv: