Patriot Act To be Extended This Week. No Dissent Expected

The house will go back into session this week and kick off things with a bill which receives almost unanimous support from both sides of the aisle and President Obama. The bill (originally drafted by republicans) was rushed to the floor and has never even been the subject of so much as a hearing. No amendments are being allowed, and debate will be limited to just 40 minutes.

The Patriot Act dramatically reduced restrictions on law enforcement agencies’ ability to search telephone, e-mail communications, medical, financial, and other records; eased restrictions on foreign intelligence gathering within the United States; expanded the Secretary of the Treasury’s authority to regulate financial transactions, particularly those involving foreign individuals and entities; and broadened the discretion of law enforcement and immigration authorities in detaining and deporting immigrants suspected of terrorism-related acts. The act also expanded the definition of terrorism to include domestic terrorism, thus enlarging the number of activities to which the USA PATRIOT Act’s expanded law enforcement powers can be applied. Currently the umbrella of activities which “support” terrorism has been extended to all drug offenses and the creation of the Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team or A-TCET ensures that law enforcement now has the right to illegally search, spy, and collect information on absolutely anyone suspected of being involved with drugs. The logic being that drugs fund terrorist activities therefore even small time consumers of drugs are not only breaking possession laws but could also be charged with supporting terrorist activities.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2011
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (2 Bills)

1. H.R.514 – To extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform of Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011 (Rep. Sensenbrenner – Judiciary)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2011
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (2 Bills)

1. H.R.514 – To extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform of Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011 (Rep. Sensenbrenner – Judiciary)

2. S. 188 – A bill to designate the United States courthouse under construction at 98 West First Street, Yuma, Arizona, as the “John M. Roll United States Courthouse” (Sen. McCain – Transportation and Infrastructure)