Patriot Sunsets Extension Act of 2011

Floor Speech

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Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, we can defeat our enemies without surrendering the rights and freedoms that are the foundation of our republic.

Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line every day to defend the liberties that we hold dear. In light of their bravery and commitment to the highest standards of human rights--even in war--we must ask ourselves if, through this vote on S. 990, the PATRIOT Sunsets Extension Act of 2011, we are willing to freely give up those very rights for which they are willing to die.

The PATRIOT Act can be a law worth preserving. Many of its provisions have enhanced our security. But several of its prescriptions would undermine our cherished protections of civil liberties and American freedom. That is not the American way.

As we approach Memorial Day, a day when we reflect on the sacrifices made by our fallen warriors, let us give them and the defenders of our security the legal tools they need to protect us all and to seek out and descend upon those who would do us harm. But let us sensibly discard those provisions of law which do not uphold those standards and would instead give away the precious liberties which millions of Americans have died defending throughout the history of our country.

Mr. Speaker, today I vote against S. 990 because this Congress did not move sensibly to amend the PATRIOT Act to bolster our security while respecting our civil liberties and freedoms.

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