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Congress gets set for battle on Patriot Act

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales wants the entire Patriot Act renewed. Fifteen provisions expire in December.

WASHINGTON - As Attorney General Alberto Gonzales prepares his defense of expiring provisions of the Patriot Act, the anti-terrorism law's opponents are trying to persuade Congress not to extend what they say are intrusions into Americans' lives.

Gonzales is to testify today before the Senate Judiciary Committee and go before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. FBI director Robert Mueller, who also seeks full reauthorization of the Patriot Act, will join Gonzales for his Senate appearance.

On the same day Gonzales will speak to the Senate committee, Sens. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., plan to reintroduce legislation designed to limit parts of the Patriot Act that they say went too far.

"Cooler heads can now see that the Patriot Act went too far, too fast and that it must be brought back in line with the Constitution," said Gregory Nojeim, associate director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington legislative office.

The Patriot Act, coming about after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, expanded the government's surveillance and prosecutorial powers against suspected terrorists, their associates and financiers. Most of the law is permanent, but 15 provisions will expire in December unless renewed by Congress.

Among them is a controversial section permitting secret warrants for "books, records, papers, documents and other items" from businesses, hospitals and other organizations.

Some Republicans also say they are concerned. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., has suggested it should be tougher for federal officials to use that provision.

Does "this really incorporate the kind of constitutional guarantees that Americans have come to expect?" said David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union.

Gonzales and his predecessor, John Ashcroft, say the Patriot Act is a critical law enforcement tool that has helped protect the country from another terrorist attack. However, Gonzales has shown a willingness to discuss possible modifications, saying in January he would consider Specter's suggestion to make it harder for officials to obtain warrants for books, records and other reading material.

[Last modified April 5, 2005, 01:32:04]