Press Release          

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz                  

118 Cannon H.O.B.               10100 Pines Blvd.               19200 W. Country Club Dr.,

Washington, DC 20515            Pembroke Pines, FL 33026        Aventura, FL 33180     

Phone:  202-225-7931            Phone:  954-437-3936            Phone:  305-936-5724

Fax:    202-226-2052            Fax:    954-437-4776            Fax:    305-932-9664           Florida's 20^th District

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June 17, 2005                                                   Contact: Jonathan Beeton        202-225-1750

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    Cell:          202-812-1715   

Floor Statement Condemning Egregious Abuse of Power

By the Majority at the Judiciary Committee Hearing on USA Patriot Act

PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE--INTEGRITY OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE

(CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - 6/16/05)

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WASHINGTON, DC - Mr. Speaker, last week it was an honor to begin my new assignment as a member of the Committee on the Judiciary. This Nation was founded on the principles of ensuring that the rights of the minority are protected from the tyranny of the majority. The display that I witnessed and experienced at our committee hearing last Friday was, honestly, the most egregious abuse of power witnessed in my 13 years of combined public service in three legislative bodies.

This is a political institution, with individuals who feel passionately about their views, and this is an institution that runs on power. But my hope is that even when we disagree, we will treat each other with respect and dignity. Respect and dignity were nowhere to be found at that hearing last Friday, and it was a shame.

I was particularly surprised and disappointed by the disposition demonstrated by the chairman during the hearing, and found it ironic that the Committee on the Judiciary, whose responsibilities include reviewing, safeguarding and upholding our Constitution, thought nothing of trampling the rights the minority's witnesses by severely limiting their opportunities to be heard.

After 9/11, the vast majority of Americans were and remain willing today to give up some of our freedoms and civil liberties in order to keep us safe. When the USA PATRIOT Act was adopted by Congress, there were 16 provisions that were troubling enough to most Members that they were required to be reviewed by Congress before they could remain in law past this year.

I think I share the views of many when I say that I may ultimately support all 16 provisions remaining in law. However, it did not seem too much to ask to thoroughly review those provisions, and not just hear a drastically lopsided set of witnesses called by the majority party.

If we are going to restrict civil liberties in the name of national and homeland security, it is more important than ever to shine the light on these provisions and make sure they can withstand a rigorous test.

Forfeiting civil liberties is not merely an inconvenience for our citizens. It must be a conscious decision, made with full disclosure and review and for good reason. If this forfeiture cannot withstand a review where proponents and opponents have their concerns aired, then our citizens cannot be expected to give up rights they were born with and for which our forefathers and foremothers so desperately fought.

It is my hope that, like the other committee on which I serve, the Committee on Financial Services, which operates in a spirit of bipartisanship even on the most contentious of issues, that we can withstand the test, and this should be done without the abuse of power and trampling of democracy that we experienced last week.

Mr. Speaker, the American people expect and deserve Members of Congress to approach terrorism prevention in a thoughtful, factual, and responsible manner. All too often opponents of the PATRIOT Act have constructed unfounded and totally unrelated conspiracy theories, erected straw men that bear no relation to reality, engaged in irresponsible and totally unfounded hyperbole, or unjustly impugned the law enforcement officials entrusted with protecting the security of America's citizens. While the PATRIOT Act was drafted and passed by both Houses with wide bipartisan majorities, it has been transformed by some into a political weapon of choice to allege a broad range of violations which have nothing to do with that legislation. These efforts coarsen public debate and undermine the responsible, substantive examination that must inform congressional and public consideration of this critical issue.

I will not be deterred by malicious attacks or minority obstructionism. In the coming months I will continue to energetically discharge my responsibilities as chairman to ensure thorough, bipartisan, and thoughtful consideration of issues relating to the PATRIOT Act and other legislation before the committee. This House and the American people who elect us to represent them expect and deserve no less.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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Ian Rayder

Legislative Assistant

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, FL-20

118 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Phone: 202.225.7931

Fax: 202.226.2052

ian.rayder@mail.house.gov

Ian Rayder

Legislative Assistant

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, FL-20

118 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Phone: 202.225.7931

Fax: 202.226.2052

ian.rayder@mail.house.gov