Kucinich Congratulates Maine Lawmakers For Challenging Patriot Act

Ohio Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich today congratulated the Maine Legislature for voting yesterday to ask Congress to reconsider the controversial law known as the Patriot Act. Maine became the fourth state to take a stand against the Patriot Act, joining Alaska, Hawaii and Vermont. An estimated 300 communities around the country have taken a similar stand. "I would like to congratulate the members of the House and the Senate in Maine for adding their voices to those of leaders in Alaska, Hawaii and Vermont, as well as millions of other citizens who see the dangers that this law poses to our basic American freedoms,” Kucinich said. He said he hopes Maine's action sends a message to the Democratic Party, potential Party nominee Sen. John Kerry, who voted for the Patriot Act in 2001, and all other members of the U.S. Congress.

"It's not enough for candidates to say that the law is flawed or its implementation by the Bush Administration poses threats to our civil liberties," Kucinich said. "It's time to stand up for our rights as Americans and demand that unconstitutional laws be repealed, as I have." Kucinich is the only Presidential candidate who voted against the act. He, along with 20 other members of Congress, has introduced the Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act, which would repeal several major sections of the existing law. It would eliminate the Patriot Act's subjective search-and-seizure provision, unwarranted incarcerations, and the authority of federal officials to search private records without probable cause. The proposed law would restore the fundamental right of attorney-client privilege, revoke various Department of Justice secrecy orders, and repeal provisions harmful to the rights of immigrants. In addition, it would restore transparency to Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security administrative procedures by revoking Freedom of Information Act secrecy orders.