Bush Grabs New Power for FBI

Wired Reports Bush quietly signed into law a new bill that gives the FBI increased surveillance powers and dramatically expands the reach of the USA Patriot Act. The new law lets the FBI acquire records through an administrative procedure whereby an FBI field agent simply drafts a so-called national security letter stating the information is relevant to a national security investigation. They can get this from insurance companies, travel agencies, real estate agents, stockbrokers, the U.S. Postal Service and even jewelry stores, casinos and car dealerships.

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minnesota), who opposed the legislation, told the House, “It is clear the Republican leadership and the administration would rather expand on the USA Patriot Act through deception and secrecy than debate such provisions in an open forum.”

January 7, 2004 by Uncategorized 2

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2 Responses

  1. John says:
    January 7, 2004 at 8:16 am

    Signed on a Saturday
    “The President signs bills seven days a week“ … riiight. And on the same day Saddam was allededly captured…. hmm….

    Reply
  2. crow says:
    January 7, 2004 at 9:54 pm

    With regards to the alleged capture…
    DEBKAfile has an even more interesting take on the Saddam capture (and it makes a lot of sense).

    Reply

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