CIVIL LIBERTIES: CORNERSTONE OF AMERICAN VALUES
Yesterday, the President proposed an expansion of the USA PATRIOT Act's law enforcement powers. This expansion of power would significantly undermine the fundamental liberties guaranteed to all citizens in the Constitution. The League of Women Voters calls on Congress to reject the Administration's attempt to limit Americans' freedoms.
We are deeply concerned with the Administration's plan, which would allow subpoenas to be issued without obtaining approval from judges or grand juries, and make it legal to hold suspects without bail.
It is up to Congress to keep close watch over the PATRIOT Act's implementation and continue to address instances where citizens' freedoms have been abused.
On this second anniversary of September 11, 2001, the League memorializes those who lost their lives in the attacks two years ago. We must stand together to protect and strengthen the American way of life and our democratic system of good government that our adversaries would so like to destroy.
We call on the Administration and Congress to protect our homeland through means that protect our civil liberties, rather than chipping away at the basic values for which America stands.
9/11 statement by Kay J. Maxwell, President, LWVUS
