SCHAKOWSKY: BUSH ADMINISTRATIONS MISSTATEMENT OF THE DAY THE PATRIOT ACT
THE PATRIOT ACTWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Chief Deputy Whip, issued today's "Bush Administration's Misstatement of the Day" on The Patriot Act:
During a speech in Memphis defending provisions of the Patriot Act, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said:
"The charges of the hysterics are revealed for what they are: castles in the air built on misrepresentation; supported by unfounded fear; held aloft by hysteria." (Attorney General Ashcroft, Speech, 9/18/03)
Schakowsky said, "Americans will continue to raise questions about the Patriot Act, no matter how many speeches Attorney General Ashcroft delivers in support of the law. And we will work to oppose any future plans by the Bush Administration take away civil liberties and Constitutional rights. "
According to a Washington Post article (9/19/03): "More than 150 cities and three states have passed resolutions condemning the legislation as an attack on individual liberties. The House voted in July to cut off funding for "sneak-and-peek" searches, in which investigators do not immediately notify the subject that a search has been conducted."
Attorney General Ashcroft has refused to respond to Congressional inquiries on implementation of the Patriot Act.
Read More About the Patriot Act on the American Civil Liberties Webpage