Information about the vote from special interest groups and other information providers in our Report Cards:
American Civil Liberties Union
H.R. 3162 - Overbroad Anti-Terrorism Legislation.
H.R. 3162 - Overbroad Anti-Terrorism Legislation
On October 25, 2001, the Senate voted to pass the "USA PATRIOT Act of 2001". The legislation will give enormous, unwarranted power to the executive branch unchecked by meaningful judicial review. This new authority could be used against American citizens in routine criminal investigations unrelated to terrorism, immigrants within our borders legally, and those whose First Amendment activities are deemed threats to national security by the Attorney General. The legislation was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001.Republican Liberty Caucus (Civil Liberty)
Anti-Terrorism.
To expand law enforcement’s power to investigate suspected terrorists.United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers
CIVIL LIBERTIES.
The Senate voted to adopt the draconian Anti-Terrorism Authority bill (HR3162). This rush to grant new powers to government has been denounced by conservatives and liberals alike. It provides for the arrest and imprisonment of non-citizens in secret, and allows the government to tap phones, e-mail, and seize bank accounts almost without limit.
An unscrupulous employer could conspire with law enforcement to arrest, detain, and deport immigrant workers who attempt to organize unions. Rather than soberly assessing the nation’s real security needs, Congress and the Bush Administration have implemented the most serious assault on our Constitutional liberties in living memory.
Peace Action
Anti-Terrorism Authority/Passage.
Passage of the bill that would
expand law enforcementís
power to investigate suspected
terrorists. The bill
would allow disclosure of
wiretap information among
certain government officials,
authorize limited disclosure of
secret grand jury information
to certain government officials,
and allow the detention
of foreigners suspected of
having ties to terrorism. It
also would make it easier for
law enforcement to track
voice and Internet communications
using surveillance
techniques and would
strengthen laws to combat
money laundering. Most of
the billís intelligence-gathering
provisions would sunset
after four years. Passed (thus
cleared for the President).