Statement of Senator Russ Feingold On the Patriot Act Extension February 3, 2006 "I voted against another short-term extension of the Act because it does not include the modest but critical safeguards I and others have fought for over the past four years. In the five weeks since the Patriot Act was extended, the House and White House have refused to engage in serious bipartisan negotiations on fixing the problems with the Act. Now, they are apparently offering to make a few minor changes to the Act. I will strongly oppose, and use every option at my disposal to stop, any deal to reauthorize the Patriot Act that does not protect the rights and freedoms of law-abiding Americans, including making sure that the government cannot obtain library, medical and other sensitive records about innocent Americans. Making only a few insignificant changes will not be enough."

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