WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate today declined to end debate on the Patriot Act reauthorization bill, which would make permanent many authorities that are critical to enabling law enforcement and intelligence officials to fight terrorism, while strengthening civil liberties protections. Senator Collins voted in support of ending debate on the legislation and issued this statement:
“The 9/11 attacks against our nation plunged the US into a war on terrorist unlike any other we have known. As the 9/11 Commission reported, this ‘war on terrorism’ is not just a military conflict, but also one in which law enforcement and intelligence agencies are on the front lines of finding and stopping those who would kill our citizens and who seek to destroy our way of life.
“It is critical that our law enforcement and intelligence agencies have the authorities necessary to combat this threat, provided that these authorities are matched with strong protections for civil liberties.
“I support the USA PATRIOT Act Conference report because it makes permanent many provisions from the original law that are important to protect Americans from terrorists. Equally important, this legislation contains significant new safeguards that improve protections for civil liberties compared to the current law. For example, the legislation includes new congressional oversight and public reporting provisions, increased clarity as to requirements the government must meet, and improved provisions for judicial review, all of which I support