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URL: http://interactive.lwv.org/News/News.cfm?ID=1276&c=7

League President Urges Congress to Protect Civil Liberties
September 23, 2004

TO: Members of the U.S. Senate

FROM: Kay J. Maxwell, President

RE: Civil Liberties

As Congress considers the legislative recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, the League of Women Voters urges you to make certain that basic civil liberties are preserved.  In addition, we ask that you support and sponsor S. 1709, the SAFE Act (Security and Freedom Ensured Act of 2003), sponsored by Senator Larry Craig (R ID) and Senator Richard Durbin (D IL).

For the past 84 years, members of the League have been steadfast in their conviction that the need to protect against security threats to America must be balanced with the need to preserve the very liberties that are the foundation of this country.  There are fundamental principles that guard our liberty -- from independent judicial review of law enforcement actions to prohibitions on indiscriminate searches -- that must be preserved.

League members are particularly concerned about the impact of the Patriot Act, passed hurriedly by Congress in 2001.  The proposed SAFE Act would address some of the most problematic provisions of the Patriot Act.  The new legislation would limit so-called "sneak and peek" searches, which allow secret warrants, to specific instances where there is a risk of flight or danger to life or physical safety.  The SAFE Act would also increase reporting on the use of "sneak and peek" searches, thereby allowing for more meaningful oversight on the use of such searches.

S. 1709 would limit law enforcement requests for business records by requiring evidence that the records relate to a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power, and are not merely part of a "fishing expedition."  Finally, the SAFE Act would extend the sunset provisions of the Patriot Act to include the sections on "sneak and peek" warrants and national security letters.

These are challenging times for all Americans.  We recognize that there are real and serious terrorist threats. The League believes that the SAFE Act would preserve broad authority for law enforcement officials to combat terrorism.  At the same time, it would protect innocent Americans from unrestricted government surveillance.  The League of Women Voters urges you to sponsor and support S. 1709.