THE
FBI'S USE OF THE USA PATRIOT ACT
Director Mueller Testifies Before the Senate Judiciary Committee
04/06/05
On April 5, Director
Mueller joined Attorney General Gonzalez on the Hill to discuss renewal
of Patriot Act provisions that are scheduled to "sunset" at
the end of this year.
"I
firmly believe that it is crucial to our national security to renew
these provisions," he said. "Without them the FBI might
well be forced into pre-September 11th practices, requiring us --
agents, analysts, and our partners -- to fight the war on terror
with one hand tied behind our backs."
In his written testimony,
Director Mueller spoke specifically to each of the 16 provisions in
question -- everything from wiretap issues...to information sharing
with U.S. federal agencies, from voice mail and email issues...to access
to information through the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)
court, from search warrants...to civil liability. In his remarks he
cited concrete examples of how each provision had closed loopholes
and made Americans safer. Just for instance:
- Using
the "Emergency Disclosure of E-Mail & Records by ISPs" provision
to quickly restore an abducted 14-year-old girl to her family.
- Using "Information
Sharing for Foreign Intelligence, etc." provision to identify,
arrest, and ultimately deport 3 men on drug and providing material
support to Al Qaeda violations.
- Using
the "Immunity for Compliance with FISA Wiretap" provision
to get industry assistance in an espionage case.
Director Mueller
also addressed "Section 213 - Delayed Notice Search Warrants," a
provision not scheduled to sunset, but one which has raised some criticism.
And, finally, he called for the Committee's support in giving the FBI
administrative subpoena power for terrorism investigations, a power
already granted the FBI for its investigations of crimes like drug
trafficking, health care fraud, and child exploitation.
We strongly
encourage you to read the testimony
in its entirety to be fully informed about issues that
concern the safety of your communities.
Director Mueller
concludes: "The importance of the provisions of the USA
Patriot Act I have discussed today in the war against terrorism cannot
be overstated. They are crucial to our present and future successes.
By responsibly using the statutes provided by Congress, the FBI has
made substantial progress in its ability to proactively investigate
and prevent terrorism and protect lives, while at the same time protecting
civil liberties."
Links: Director
Mueller's testimony | Department
of Justice press release on Attorney General Gonzales' testimony
