Taking Liberties in the War on Terror: The Justice Department's “Patriot
Act II”

By Steven H. Aden

Interested Persons Memo: Section-by-Section Analysis of Justice Department
draft “Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003,” also known as “PATRIOT Act II”

To: Interested Persons

From: Timothy H. Edgar, Legislative Counsel

Date: February 14, 2003

Re: Section-by-Section Analysis of Justice Department draft “Domestic
Security Enhancement Act of 2003,” also known as “Patriot Act
II”

ACLU Fact Sheet on PATRIOT Act II

Justice Department Contemplates Seeking More Sweeping Powers

Bill Would Further Erode Limits on Antiterror Powers

Less than two years after Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act, giving new,
sweeping powers to the federal government to conduct investigations and surveillance
inside the United States, the Justice Department is contemplating another
chilling grab of authority and further diminution of constitutional checks
and balances on law enforcement.

These provisions either amend sections of the USA PATRIOT Act or are drawn from a draft Justice Department proposal that circulated in 2003, the "Domestic Security Enhancement Act," also called "Patriot II." They were added by the House leadership over the objections of members of the 9-11 Commission and victims' families. Except for the first three, none had received a hearing before any committee of Congress before they appeared in H.R. 10.

How “Patriot Act 2” Would Further Erode the Basic Checks on Government Power That Keep America Safe and Free

The USA PATRIOT Act, passed by Congress shortly after September 11, 2001, increases government surveillance, detention and other law enforcement powers while reducing basic checks and balances on such powers. The Department of Justice is currently drafting legislation designed as a sequel to the USA PATRIOT Act.[1] A draft copy of this legislation, dated January 2003, recently became available.[2]

Patriot Act II Resurrected?

Congress may consider a bill that not only expands the government's wiretapping and investigative powers but also would link low-level drug dealing to terrorism and ban a traditional form of Middle Eastern banking.

Patriot Act II (draft)

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Source document:

http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/patriot2-hi.pdf

electronic history: