Caroline Fredrickson
Caroline Fredrickson
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This sham compromise agreement fails to address the primary substantive concern raised by millions of Americans, as well as civil liberties, privacy and business organizations and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and in both chambers.
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Too much of the debate over immigration reform has ignored one of the greatest threats to our privacy. The proposed employer verification system would require Americans, regardless of citizenship, to get a 'permission slip to work' from the government. If Congress wants to reform immigration, then it should, but it shouldn't use this legislation as a clandestine means to subvert our constitutional right to privacy.
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This tells us why they didn't want to tell us in the past how many of these they were actually using. The idea that this kind of power resides in the hands of so many people at the FBI with no court oversight is very troubling.
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Today, more than ever, we cannot take our right to reproductive freedom for granted. Anti-choice forces are moving full steam ahead to not only take away a woman's right to choose an abortion but to limit access to birth control and other important reproductive health care.
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We've been supportive of this concept, but the administration has got to give these people more leeway to play the role that's been pitched. I don't think they can do that under the circumstances.
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We're concerned because it's part of a general trend in this administration. Far as we know, it's possible that they are like many other Americans - being spied on.
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I think one of the fundamental roles of Congress is to exercise oversight of the executive branch. And it's not happening.
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Regardless of what happens with this agreement, Congress can, and must fix the Patriot Act to better protect the privacy and freedom of ordinary Americans. At the same time, until the Bush administration stops the illegal NSA program to spy on Americans and stops ignoring the rule of law, any reforms to the Patriot Act could be ignored under the extreme philosophy of power embraced by this president. No matter the result of the Patriot Act, we hope all senators involved in these negotiations will resist pressure from the administration. Congress must restore the rule of law and insist that innocent Americans' rights be protected against the overreaching of the White House. We can, and must, be both safe and free.
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Lawmakers must not forget their oaths and disregard the administration's infringement of average Americans' constitutional rights. The White House has repeatedly admitted to the use of warrant-less wiretaps and has yet to be held accountable. Checks and balances on presidential power are essential to protect the rights of Americans.
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Our government is based upon a separation of powers and a system of checks and balances. The actions taken by the president undermine the very foundations of our country. We urge the relevant Congressional committees to investigate how the president abused his power as our chief executive. We applaud Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter for committing to hold oversight hearings. The American people deserve to know the truth.
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It is clear that this illegal program violates our Constitution and laws governing surveillance. The president's false choice between securing our nation and preserving our Constitution must be rejected. Congress has an obligation to determine the truth, especially since the administration is unwilling to check itself. Hearings like this help ensure steps are taken so the rule of law is respected by all, even the president.
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The president cannot use the pursuit of national security as a carte blanche to undermine the very freedoms that define America. This administration - like that of President Nixon - has apparently secretly adopted a legal view of the Executive Branch's power that is unbounded. A commitment to the Constitution and our laws demand an independent investigation.
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We must protect women's access to the full range of reproductive health services. The 'Freedom of Choice Act' puts women's health and not politics first. Lawmakers should adopt this much-needed proposal.
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The Patriot Act debate is far from over, and we will continue to fight for reforms to protect civil liberties. While Congress failed to adopt much-needed reforms to the law to better protect freedom and privacy, lawmakers also rejected pressure from the White House to include significant and unwarranted expansions of government power. We applaud those fair-minded lawmakers that have fought to bring the law in line with the Constitution, and together, we will continue to push for reforms to keep America safe and free.