User:Ta bu shi da yu/USA PATRIOT Act/Sandbox

On June 30th 2005 27 Democrat Senators co-sponsored a bill introduced by Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Ron Paul (R-Texas), with 27 co-sponsors, all Democrats (except Ron Paul, who has strong libertarian leanings and frequently votes independently from most other Republicans). The intent was to review the USA PATRIOT Act to make sure it does not "inappropriately undermine civil liberties." Its naming, as described in Sec. 2, No. 1, regards Benjamin Franklin's famous quote, "Those who would give up Essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

The Act would have created a 90-day review period, in which parts of the USA PATRIOT Act could be removed from Sections 4-10. After 90 days, the remaining segments in those sections would cease to have effect. Specific provisions that are named include the "sneak and peek searches," naturalization issues, attorney-client privilege, and secrecy orders (involving the Freedom of Information Act). This bill was presented to the House on September 24, 2003, and was referred to subcommittees for consideration. No action was taken before the end of the 108th Congress. The bill will need to be re-introduced in order to be considered again. It has many important supporters, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the NAACP, and other such organizations.