Patriot Act takes a hit.

[Rune]

From The AP

 

House votes to limit Patriot Act rules on library records

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The House voted Wednesday to block the FBI and the Justice Department from using the anti-terror Patriot Act to search library and book store records, responding to complaints about potential invasion of privacy of innocent readers.

Despite a veto threat from President Bush, lawmakers voted 238-187 to block the part of the anti-terrorism law that allows the government to investigate the reading habits of terror suspects.

 

The vote reversed a narrow loss last year by lawmakers complaining about threats to privacy rights. They narrowed the proposal this year to permit the government to continue to seek out records of Internet use at libraries.

 

The vote came as the House debated a $57.5 billion bill covering the departments of Commerce, Justice and State. The Senate has yet to act on the measure, and GOP leaders often drop provisions offensive to Bush during final negotiations.

 

Congress is preparing to extend the Patriot Act, which was passed quickly in the emotional aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Then, Congress included a "sunset" provision under which 15 of the law's provisions are to expire at the end of this year.

 

Supporters of rolling back the library and bookstore provision said that the law gives the FBI too much leeway to go on "fishing expeditions" on people's reading habits and that innocent people could get tagged as potential terrorists based on what they check out from a library.

 

"If the government suspects someone is looking up how to make atom bombs, go to a court and get a search warrant," said Jerold Nadler, D-N.Y.

 

Supporters of the Patriot Act countered that the rules on reading records are a potentially useful tool in finding terrorists and argued that the House was voting to make libraries safe havens for them.

 

"If there are terrorists in libraries studying how to fly planes, how to put together biological weapons, how to put together chemical weapons, nuclear weapons ... we have to have an avenue through the federal court system so that we can stop the attack before it occurs," said Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Fla.

 

Last year, a similar provision was derailed by a 210-210 tie tally after several Republicans were pressured to switch their votes.

 

In the meantime, a number of libraries have begun disposing of patrons' records quickly so they won't be available if sought under the law.

 

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales told Congress in April that the government has never used the provision to obtain library, bookstore, medical or gun sale records.

 

But when asked whether the administration would agree to exclude library and medical records from the law, Gonzales demurred. "It should not be held against us that we have exercised restraint," he said.

 

Authorities have gained access to records through voluntary cooperation from librarians, Gonzales and FBI Director Robert Mueller said

 

 

Bravo, I say to Congress. This was one of the cases of The Patriot Act which I disliked and it seemed I certainly wasn't in the minority.

[MarlinFan10]

That's good to know. Checking out dozens CD's at Broward libraries just to burn them can't be legal.

[Craig]

This is a good start.

[Das Texan]

That's good to know. Checking out dozens CD's at Broward libraries just to burn them can't be legal.

811503[/snapback]

 

 

 

let teh broward libraries deal with that problem

 

 

 

its one of the many problems i have with this piece of trash.

[MVPosey]

damn...i felt a lot safer knowing that the government kept tabs on what some 80 year old woman checks out at the library

[MarlinFan10]

That's good to know.? Checking out dozens CD's at Broward libraries just to burn them can't be legal.

811503[/snapback]

 

let teh broward libraries deal with that problem

 

811904[/snapback]

How is that a "problem"? :shifty

[legacyofCangelosi]

Sorry guys but your library records arent safe. Under FISA the govt can still look up library records. The difference is after this vote, they cant tag you for being a potential terrorist, just tag you for being a potential foreign spy.