FC: Ashcroft tells Congress that Patriot Act II is a ghost, from IP

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: "Meeks, Brock (MSNBCi)" <Brock.Meeks () MSNBC COM>
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 09:23:30 -0800
To: "'dave () farber net'" <dave () farber net>
Subject: Ashcroft: Patriot II is a ghost

Sen. Russ Feingold just a few minutes ago during a hearing this morning on 
Homeland Security asked Atty. Gen. Ashcroft why he hadn't come to Congress 
to discuss provision of the "Patriot Act II."

Ashcroft replied, categorically, that "there is no Patriot Act II.  That 
said, it doesn't mean that we aren't constantly thinking and discussing how 
to make things better, safer," Ashcroft said.  "So if there are some 
leaks... it's about what we've been thinking," Ashcroft said.

"There has been no bill decided on, no proposal decided on," Ashcroft 
said.  "It would be the height of absurdity to have a bill I want to make 
law without informing Congress first."

Feingold wasn't buying what Ashcroft was saying.  "Well, there is something 
out there," Feingold shot back, "and I'd appreciate you coming to Congress 
first."

Ashcroft finished off saying that "Until I think we have something 
appropriate" to discuss "I don't think we should engage in debate on 
something until it's appropriate."



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