1) Ashcroft Continues to Seek New Powers
2) Oppose Backdoor Attempts to Institute a National ID

Attorney General Ashcroft and his allies in Congress are taking advantage of the 9/11 Commission report to push an expansion of the powers of the Department of Justice and erode key checks and balances that prevent government abuse. Many of their earlier proposals met with defeat, but now they are pushing new legislation that would dramatically expand on the PATRIOT Act and even further restrict our freedom. 

This proposed legislation would increase the government’s power to secretly obtain personal records without judicial review. Also, by expanding “administrative subpoena” powers, it would erode already diminished judicial oversight in terrorism cases and would allow access to confidential records without individual suspicion of wrongdoing.

The 9/11 Commission's final report clearly indicated that government agents failed to properly use the powers already available. By granting new powers and removing key checks and balances, we are increasing the risk of government abuse and the threat of unnecessary searches.

This proposed legislation might be voted on as early as next week. Your Members of Congress need to hear from you now.

Take Action! Urge your Members of Congress to oppose this dangerous expansion of government powers.

Click here for more information and to take action:

http://www.aclu.org/NationalSecurity/NationalSecurity.cfm?ID=16491&c=24

2) Oppose Backdoor Attempts to Institute a National ID

Several Senators are expected to try to use the 9/11 Commission report to push the creation of a national ID system even though there are numerous reasons why such a ID would not make us any safer.  In fact, a national ID could make it easier for terrorists to operate.

A national ID, whether a unique card or a standardized drivers license, could essentially become an internal passport that could compromise our privacy, limit our freedom and expose us to unfair discrimination based on national origin or religion.

The implementation of a national ID program would require integration of huge amounts of personal information included in state and federal government databases. One employee mistake, an underlying database error or common fraud could take away an individual's ability to move freely from place to place or even make them unemployable until the government fixed their "file."  Terrorists and identity thieves could take advantage of this system’s weakness and travel freely.

Congress may vote on this issue as early as next week so it is important that they hear from you today.

Take Action!  Urge your Members of Congress to oppose the creation of a National ID.

Click here for more information and to take action:

http://www.aclu.org/NationalSecurity/NationalSecurity.cfm?ID=16490&c=109