[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 4644-4645] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]USA PATRIOT ACT ADDITIONAL REAUTHORIZATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2006 ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Thursday, March 30, 2006 Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my extreme disappointment with S. 2271, the USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006. This bill purports to increase protections for libraries and people who have been issued National Security Letters and Section 215 intelligence orders, though in reality, it offers very little recourse for U.S. citizens. I voted against the Patriot Act Reauthorization in July 2005, and the conference report in December 2005. Neither version of H.R. 3199 sufficiently balanced the needs of law enforcement to protect our country, with the protection of our civil liberties. In December, I stated my firm belief that it is possible to be safe, free, and to protect security while still respecting civil liberties. Unfortunately, H.R. 3199 did not recognize this reality, and neither does S. 2271. The amendments that were added make it harder to challenge a Section 215 intelligence order than before. Currently, recipients may challenge the gag order immediately after receiving a Section 215 intelligence order. However, S. 2271 would make the recipient wait one year before having the opportunity to challenge the gag order. I have expressed in the past my serious concern regarding the use of National Security Letters to access Internet records in public libraries. While this bill attempts to exempt libraries from receiving National Security Letters, it fails terribly. According to S. 2271, libraries are only exempt from National Security Letters if they do not offer Internet access--a preposterous claim in this day and age, and an unrealistic expectation. This exemption does nothing to protect public libraries, or their patrons, from having their privacy invaded by the Federal government, and I do not support this provision. Mr. Speaker, S. 2271 does nothing regarding the Patriot Act to allay the concerns that Democrats and Republicans alike have regarding the protections of our civil liberties. It is disappointing that the Administration has chosen to embrace extreme measures in the name of fighting terrorism, over protecting the civil liberties we all cherish so much. These need not be mutually exclusive--we can fight terrorism, keep our country safe, and respect the rights and liberties that generations of [[Page 4645]] Americans have fought so hard to uphold. Mr. Speaker, I cannot support these additional amendments and intend to vote against S. 2271. ____________________