Military

DATE=10-12-01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-281690

TITLE=CONGRESS / TERRORISM (L)

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: One month after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the Democratic-led U-S Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill (by a 96 to 1 vote) to toughen anti-terrorism laws. The Republican-led House is expected to act on the measure later today (Friday). Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from Washington.

TEXT: The administration-backed bill would expand the powers of law enforcement to wiretap the phones of suspected terrorists, share intelligence information about them and prosecute those who knowingly harbor them. The bill would also stiffen U-S laws against money-laundering.

In addition, the bill would allow the federal government to hold foreigners considered suspected terrorists for up to seven days before charging them with a crime or beginning deportation proceedings. It is a change from the administration's proposal which sought to detain such suspects indefinitely.

There was one senator who voted against the measure, Democrat Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, who expressed concerns that the expanded powers could be used to violate the rights of citizens.

Democratic Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy of Vermont said he shared some of those concerns. But he said there were enough improvements made to the bill to allow him to support it.

/// LEAHY ACTUALITY ///

Despite my misgivings, I have acquiesced in some of the administration's proposals because it is important to preserve national unity in this time of crisis, to move the legislative process forward.

/// END ACT ///

Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said the measure was crafted to provide a balance between law enforcement and civil liberties.

/// HATCH ACTUALITY ///

We took into consideration civil liberties throughout our discussions on this bill, and I think we got it just right. We are protective of civil rights while at the same time giving the tools to law enforcement agencies to allow them to do their job in this country.

/// END ACT ///

The House begins debate on the bill Friday.

Its version of the measure calls for many of the provisions to expire in two years. An unlikely alliance between conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats demanded the limits, saying they feared many of the expanded powers could be abused in the future.

The administration would like the changes to be permanent, although it has signaled it is willing to negotiate a compromise with lawmakers. (signed)

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