Herr Ashcroft resolute in his defense of the Patriot Act [View All]

[eauclaireliberal]

Ashcroft is resolute in his defense of the Patriot Act

By REBECCA CARR
COX NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON -- Mounting opposition to the anti-terrorism legislation passed in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks has put Attorney General John Ashcroft on the defensive.

A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation last week that would gut major provisions of the Patriot Act, including one that allows federal investigators to delay notifying terror suspects about search warrants.

The House effectively voted to do the same thing to the "sneak and peek" provision, in an amendment attached to an appropriations bill in July.

Critics applauded the cuts, saying Ashcroft has used the act to push a conservative agenda, politicize the office and curtail civil liberties. They see Ashcroft as the very embodiment of the Patriot Act.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT