The US House of Representatives says it’s not okay to spy on somebody’s reading habits by knocking down the renewal of one provision of the USA Patriot Act 238-187.
Only thirty-eight Republicans joined 199 Democrats, led by Independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont, in striking down one of 15 Patriot Act provisions scheduled to sunset this year by supporting an amendment that would prevent the Department of Justice from being able to obtain and examine the check-out history of library patrons and bookstore receipts.
Most House Republicans appear to think that what you read is their business as the majority of them supported renewal of the Patriot Act as-is. If the amendment clears the Senate, President Bush has already vowed to veto if changes to Section 215, or any other section, are passed. The amendment requires that Justice Department authorities get a search warrant before being permitted to look into someone’s reading habits.
“No question; this is a real shot in the arm for those of us who want to make changes to the USA Patriot Act,” Sanders noted. He also said passing the amendment would help “rein in an Administration intent on chipping away at the very civil liberties that define us as a nation.”
If the President had his druthers, all 15 of the sunset clauses would be made permanent, and questions still remain as to, if the Senate passes the rejection of one and the President vetoes it, whether Congress will have the chutzpa to override the veto.
The American Civil Liberties Union, for once showing their good for something, has joined voices the American Library Association in opposition to the clause that allows the government to monitor what people read.
“People from every political persuasion supported this amendment, and we are grateful that members of the House listened to librarians’ concerns,” ALA Washington Office Executive Director Emily Sheketoff said.
