INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT THREATENS CIVIL LIBERTIES
Anti-Terrorism Intelligence Tools Improvement Act of 2003
Bill Number: H.R. 3179
Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Intelligence Committee
On September 25, Rep. James Sensenbrenner intoduced the Anti-Terrorism Intelligence Tools Improvement Act of 2003. If passed, this law would provide new penalties for violating the non-disclosure provisions of so-called "national security letters"; provide for judicial enforcement of requests for information under such national security letters; and facilitate the use of information collected under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in immigration proceedings.
Antiterrorism Tools Enhancement Act
Bill Number: H.R. 3037
Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary
On September 9, Rep. Tom Feeney introduced H.R. 3037, the Antiterrorism Tools Enhancement Act. If it is passed in its present form, the Act would authorize the administration to issue subpoenas without having to show probable cause. The Act requires only that the information sought by the administrative subpoenas is relevant to an ongoing investigation. It also contains a provision for the Attorney General to issue a gag order that forbids the person served the subpoena from disclosing its existence.
Pretrial Detention and Lifetime Supervision of Terrorists Act
Bill Number: H.R. 3040
Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary
On September 9, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA) introduced H.R. 3040, the Pretrial Detention and Lifetime Supervision of Terrorists Act. If passed, the law would deny bail to anyone accused of domestic or international terrorism. And the definition of domestic terrorism is broad enough to include legitimate demonstrations that suddenly, through no fault of the organizers, turn violent. Goodlatte's bill ignores the right of bail as granted by the Eighth Amendment.
Terrorist Penalties Enhancement Act
Bill Number: S. 1604
Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary
On September 10, 2003, Senator Arlen Specter introduced S.1604. This bill authorizes the death penalty for any act of domestic or international terrorism that results in the death of a person.
What you can do:
Contact your Congress people and express your concern about this legislation.
CLEAR ACT (The Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal )
Bill Number: H.R. 2671
Status: Subcommittee hearings held 10/1/03
Rep. Charlie Norwood (GA) introduced this bill that would withhold funds from state and local law enforcement agencies that do not agree to enforce immigration laws. It would reward those state and local police agencies that do help round up illegal immigrants a share of fines and forfeited property and financial assistance for equipment, technology and facilities to incarcerate detainees as well as personal and agency immunity for any claim arising out of the enforcement of immigration law. It would also undermine community policing, and prevent immigrants from coming forward to report crime.
VICTORY ACT (Vital Interdiction of Criminal Terrorist Organizations)
Senators Hatch (R-UT), Sessions (R-AL), Kyl (R-AZ), Graham (R-SC), and Cornryn (R-TX) drafted the Vital Interdiction of Criminal Terrorist Organizations (VICTORY) Act. The legislation would make drug possession a terrorist offense, increase the threshold for rejecting illegal wiretaps, and increase the power of the federal government by expanding its authority to use administrative subpoenas in all terrorism investigations. The Victory Act has yet to be introduced.
For more information, see the following:
Gray Panthers website, A Brief History of Repressive Legislation
August 27, 2003, Charles Levendosky, Casper (WY) Star-Tribune, Victory Act No Victory for Public
August 21, 2003, Dan Eggen, Washington Post, GOP Bill Would Add Anti-Terror Powers
August 21, 2003, Ryan Singel, Wired News, Patriot Act II Resurrected?
Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003 (AKA PATRIOT II)
On February 7, 2003, the Center for Public Integrity obtained a copy of this draft legislation.
Source: Bill of Rights Defense Committee at www.bordc.org
10-20-03