Senate Democrats propose surveillance law changes

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON — Democratic senators, beginning work on revisions to the nation's major counterterrorism law, want the government to meet tougher tests when requesting the right to conduct surveillance and seize records and other property.

Three expiring provisions of the USA Patriot Act provide Democrats with the opportunity to rewrite parts of the law — and curb what they consider abuses of Americans' civil liberties and privacy during the Bush administration.

A bill with significant changes, sponsored by Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Sens. Ted Kaufman of Delaware and Ben Cardin of Maryland, was introduced prior to a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday.

The House Judiciary Committee held its first hearing on Patriot Act revisions Tuesday, but no bill has been introduced. Liberal Democrats who control the House panel said the Obama administration has not been specific enough in offering better protections — even as the Justice Department is urging continuation of the provisions that expire Dec. 31.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i9LLhtcanBcNhniDqSpnQljdFVogD9ASSJ900

[tblue]

1. Why isn't Patrick Leahy Senate Majority Leader?

This is leadership!

[comtec]

2. Bullshit, END the fucking "patriot act" DON'T re-write it@~!!!!

This isn't leadership but cowardice!!!!

I want this ABORTION and raping of our rights, GONE!!!!

It figures, when it comes to actually FUCKING US OVER< the dems are all about doing something, when it comes to ACTUALLY FUCKING HELPING US, they do NOTHING!!!!!

If they really gave a FUCK about our civil liberties they would let this DONE, by doing what they do best... NOTHING!!!


grrrrr, its times like this is really fucking hate my party!

[barbtries]

3. agreed nt

[ixion]

4. yep, agreed

:applause: