Congressman Jim McDermott Co-Sponsors
the Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act
For Immediate Release - September 29, 2003

Washington, DC - Congressman Jim McDermott, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, and 19 other members of the House introduced the Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act, HR 3171, on Wednesday, September 24. The bill would repeal sections of the "USA Patriot Act." Rep. McDermott voted against the USA Patriot Act, which was rushed through Congress after 9-11, 2001.

The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act includes provisions to eliminate the Patriot Act's subjective search-and-seizure provision, unwarranted incarcerations, and the authority of federal officials to search our private records without probable cause. The act would restore the fundamental right of attorney-client privilege and revokes various Department of Justice secrecy orders and repeals provisions harmful to the rights of immigrants.

"The Patriot Act was passed in fear and haste. Our cherished civil liberties were trampled, and Attorney General Ashcroft and the Bush Administration have shown by their actions that they will exploit every word of the Act to further their goals. Congress should have foreseen the consequences of legislation," said McDermott. "Some of us did, and that's why we voted against the Patriot Act.

"The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act seeks to repeal the unconstitutional provisions of the Patriot Act and to protect the Constitution of the United States. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill, and I will continue to oppose the Bush Administration's efforts to steal our civil liberties. Congress must not sit by while the Administration uses fear and the threat of terrorism to tread on our constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties."

The bill would repeal sections of the USA PATRIOT Act that authorize:

• Sneak and peak searches
• Searches of library, medical, and financial records without judicial warrant
• Detention and deportation of non-citizens without careful judicial review

The bill also would :

• Cement the fundamental right of attorney-client privilege
• Restore transparency to Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security administrative procedures by revoking FOIA secrecy orders, along with other important provisions.