Congresswoman Chellie Pingree to Vote Against Extension of Patriot Act Provisions

Press Release

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said she will vote against extending three provisions of the Patriot Act that she say violate privacy and don't make America any safer.

"It's time to put an end to the provisions that compromise our privacy but do very little to fight terrorism," Pingree said. "One of the worst parts of the Patriot Act is the so-called "library' provision, which lets the authorities comb through almost any personal materials, including the library books or movies you've rented. Having the government knowing what books you've checked out of the library doesn't make us any safer."

Pingree plans to vote against a bill in the House tonight that would extend three provisions of the Patriot Act that are scheduled to expire at the end of this month. In addition the "library" provision, the expiring sections also allow roaming wiretaps that let authorities listen in on a wide range of cell phones and the "lone-wolf" provision that lets investigators conduct enhanced surveillance on individuals even if they don't have any ties to terrorist organizations.

"It's one thing to give the authorities the tools they need to investigate legitimate terrorists, but the Patriot Act has gone too far and puts endangers the privacy of Americans who have done nothing wrong," Pingree said.

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