Policy Forum

The USA Patriot Act: Renew, Revise, or Repeal?

December 3, 2009 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST

Auditorium/Wintergarden

Featuring Julian Sanchez, Research Fellow, Cato Institute; Gregory Nojeim, Senior Counsel, The Center for Democracy and Technology; Jena Baker McNeill, Homeland Security Policy Analyst, The Heritage Foundation; and Richard Samp, Chief Counsel, Washington Legal Foundation. Moderated by Tim Lynch, Director, Project on Criminal Justice, Cato Institute.

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Congress is presently moving to renew several provisions of the USA Patriot Act that are set to expire on December 31. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been urging members of Congress to renew the provisions because they provide FBI agents with exceptional powers that can help to uncover terrorist plots. Civil liberties advocates have long maintained that the Patriot Act goes too far and tramples privacy and constitutional principles. The Patriot Act contains scores of provisions—which ones ought to be renewed, revised, or repealed? Join us for a wide‐ranging discussion of this controversial law.