American Jewish Committee Urges Completion of Anti-Terrorism Legislation

American Jewish Committee
Thursday, 18 October 2001

The American Jewish Committee has applauded the U.S. Congress for expeditiously passing legislation directed at strengthening U.S. anti-terrorism laws, and urged the House and Senate conferees to include the House bill's sunset provisions and the Senate bill's money-laundering provisions in the final legislation.

"This action recognizes the unusual circumstances presented by a war waged against the United States by an implacable and ruthless foe," said Richard Foltin, AJC's Legislative Director.

"In preparing this legislation, the drafters have sought to deal with a set of significant and serious civil liberties concerns," said Mr. Foltin. "We are confident that the Congress will monitor implementation of the bill, as will AJC and other concerned Americans, to ensure that our precious liberties are properly protected and to amend the bill as necessary to assure that the balance of national security and civil liberties is maintained properly."

The bills passed by the House and Senate last week are nearly identical. Both expand law enforcement surveillance authority, with particular attention to the challenges presented by technological change, as well as the ability of authorities to share information. They impose stronger penalties on those who engage in terrorism, or harbor or finance terrorists, eliminate the statute of limitations for terrorism offenses, provide additional support to Border Patrol and customs officials, and allow the Attorney General to detain aliens suspected of endangering national security for seven days pending commencement of criminal or immigration proceedings.

Nevertheless, a few important differences remain. The Senate adopted comprehensive money-laundering provisions that the House leadership did not adopt. Also, the Senate bill includes no expiration dates (i.e., sunsets) for expanded wiretapping and other law enforcement powers, while the comparable House provisions expire after a maximum of five years.

"We look forward to an expeditious reconciling of these differences in the coming days, so that a bill which includes both sunset and money laundering provisions can be sent to the President for his signature," said Mr. Foltin.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org