July 21, 2004   SENATE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE APPROVES COLLINS-WYDEN CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION Legislation Balances Public Safety, Civil Rights and Liberties   WASHINGTON, D.C.--The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), today unanimously approved her bipartisan legislation (S. 2536) to further protect the civil rights and civil liberties of Americans. The Homeland Security Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2004, sponsored with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), would ensure that officials within the Department of Homeland Security have the ability to balance public safety with the civil right and liberties that are so important to Americans. “In focusing our attention on protecting the homeland from future terrorist attacks, we also must ensure that we do not trample on the very values that the terrorists seek to destroy,” said Senator Collins. “The Homeland Security Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Protection Act reinforces our nation’s cherished belief that we do not need to sacrifice effective protection of civil rights in the name of terrorism prevention.” “As we work to improve the security of our homeland, we must also be sure to protect civil liberties and privacy. This legislation will go a long way toward ensuring that the Department of Homeland Security doesn’t approach civil liberties as an afterthought,” said Senator Wyden. The Collins-Wyden legislation ensures continued senior level status of the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer and the Privacy Officer, and it clearly defines the roles and duties of these officers. In addition, it ensures coordination between these officers and the Inspector General. Finally, the bill creates a new position within the office of the Inspector General whose responsibility would be to oversee civil rights and civil liberties cases that are referred to this office. The bill also would amend the Department of Homeland Security’s mission statement to include the protection of civil liberties and civil rights as priority for the Department and its activities.   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 July 2004 Press Releases   July 30 - Sen. Collins Chairs First Congressional Hearing on 9/11 Commission Report, 9/11 Commission Chairmen Thomas Kean & Lee Hamilton Testify   July 23 - Senate Approves Collins-Lieberman Bill to Ensure Future of Emergency Food and Shelter Assistance Program   July 21 - Senate Committee Oks Collins, Akaka Bill Giving Federal Workers Access to Comprehensive Dental and Vision Insurance   July 21 - Senators Seek Funds for Interoperability Legislation   July 21 - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Approves Bills Affecting Federal Workforce, Homeland Security, Whistleblower Protections   July 21 current Press Release   July 16 - Senate Approves Collins’ Bill to Give Federal Employees More Flexibility to Contribute to Retirement Funds   July 15 - Senators Collins and Akaka’s Bill Gives Federal Workers Access to Comprehensive Dental and Vision Insurance   July 12 - Federal Agencies Cannot Account for Millions of Dollars in Aircraft and Car Costs, Say GAO Reports Released by Sens. Collins and Feingold   July 7 - Sens. Collins and Lieberman Say Failed Computer Program Contract Wasted $36 Million in Federal Retirement Funds   July 7 - Senator Collins Chairs Hearing on Warehousing Mentally Ill Children in Juvenile Detention Centers   July 6 - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Approves Nomination for Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510