Extending Counterterrorism Authorities

Floor Speech

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Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 514, which reauthorizes and extends provisions in the Patriot Act that I strongly disagree with. I opposed the passage of the Patriot Act in 2001 for the very same reasons that I rise today.

As a proud member of the Intelligence Committee, I am confident that we can protect our citizens and do it without treading on their rights.

Among the provisions extended in this bill is section 215, which allows the government to gain access to anyone's private, confidential records, including their medical, financial, library, and bookstore records, without first presenting evidence linking those records to a suspected terrorist or spy. It also fails to allow for court oversight of these secret orders, and prohibits the recipient of such orders from challenging the legality of the order for a year.

I think that the challenge here today is, how do we balance the security of our country with protecting the rights of ordinary citizens? I know that we can do better than we do in this legislation, and so I urge each of my colleagues to vote against H.R. 514. Instead, I think we should pass legislation that grants the intelligence community the tools that it requires while protecting the rights and liberties of all Americans.

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