Whitehouse Statement on Chafee Vote for Cloture on Patriot Act

Whitehouse Statement on Chafee Vote for Cloture on Patriot Act

On the same day that it is revealed that President Bush has secretly permitted the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on U.S. citizens without the use of a warrant, Lincoln Chafee stood with President Bush and Dick Cheney to support the reauthorization of the flawed Patriot Act.

As a former Attorney General and U.S. Attorney, I have experience with the important safeguards that are necessary when the government seeks to investigate its citizens. I believe that we can protect our country, while still protecting the rights and civil liberties of our people. This is another clear example of President Bush and the Republican leadership abusing their power and taking away the privacy rights of Americans. I believe we can protect our country against terrorism, while still protecting the civil rights and liberties of all Americans.

I applaud Sen. Reed for standing up for our rights and values and opposing the Bush/Cheney Patriot Act. During this ongoing debate, Sen. Chafee should not stand with President Bush and Vice President Cheney, but work to protect the civil rights of Americans. I encourage him to stand up for the people of Rhode Island and oppose President Bush and Vice President Cheney's request to reauthorize the Patriot Act.

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