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From the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46480-2001Oct11.html)
With very little debate, the Senate last night overwhelmingly approved an anti-terrorism bill that would significantly enhance the power of law enforcement agencies to conduct searches, wiretaps and other forms of electronic surveillance. The urgency of passing some sort of anti-terrorism package in response to the Sept. 11th bombings showed: Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.), repeatedly turned aside efforts by Sen. Russell D. Feingold (D-Wis.) to amend the bill to address what he said were its failures to adequately protect civil liberties. Ultimately the Senate passed the bill 96 to 1, with Feingold casting the only vote against it. The administration had pushed a package that would include a broadening of law enforcement's ability to tap electronic communications and the ability to indefinitely detain noncitizens expected of involvement in terrorism. The Senate gave the administration much of the wiretapping powers, but rejected the jailing request. The Senate bill would allow "roving wiretaps" in intelligence investigations covering multiple telephones, as opposed to a single line; make it easier for investigators to track phone, e-mail and Internet traffic; and permit certain agencies to share grand jury and wiretap transcripts with intelligence agencies. Unlike the House version of the same bill, the Senate version does not include a two-year "sunset" clause. The House will consider their version of the bill today.
Both Illinois Senators, Dem. Sen. Durbin and Rep. Sen. Fitzgerald, voted for the bill (see roll call vote). Sen. Durbin voted against
"http://www.senate.gov/legislative/vote1071/vote_00299.html">tabling the first of Sen. Fengold's amendments, which would have placed more limits on the interception of computer trespasser communications, but voted to table Feingold's other two amendments, one limiting "roving wiretaps" and one limiting access to business records under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. Sen. Fitzgerald voted to table all three amendments.
Civil libertarians, including the ACLU, have opposed the bill, arguing that it is far too intrusive and gives law enforcement too much authority over electronic communications.
Here's contact information for your Illinois Senators and House Reps:
Senator Dick Durbin
332 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
(202)224-2152, TTY (202)224-8180, Fax (202)228-0400
CHICAGO: Kluczynski Bldg. 38th Fl., 230 South Dearborn,Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 353-4952, Fax (312)353-0150
SPRINGFIELD: 525 South Eight Street, Springfield, IL 62703
(217)492-4062, Fax (217)492-4382
Senator Peter Fitzgerald
e-mail: senator_fitzgerald (at) fitzgerald.senate.gov
Washington Office
555 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2854
Chicago: 230 S. Dearborn #3900, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 886-3506
Central Illinois Office: 520 S. Eighth Street, Springfield, IL 62703, (217) 492-5089
Rep. Tim Johnson
1541 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515, Phone: 202-225-2371 Fax: 202-226-0791
Bloomington: 1 Brickyard Dr. Suite 201, Bloomington, IL 61701, Phone: 309-663-7049 Fax: 309-663-9880, Staff Contact: Kristin Drier
Champaign: 2004 Fox Drive Champaign, Il 61820, Phone: 217-403-4690 Fax: 217-403-4691, Chief of Staff: Jerry Clarke |
