House votes to limit Patriot Act rules

["Hamaker, Chuck" <cahamake@email.uncc.edu>]

http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/topstories/index.ssf?/base/politics-6/
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House votes to limit Patriot Act rules
6/15/2005, 7:11 p.m. ET
By ANDREW TAYLOR 
The Associated Press

....lawmakers voted Wednesday to block the Justice Department and the FBI
from using the Patriot Act to peek at library records and bookstore sales
slips. The House voted 238-187 despite a veto threat from Bush to block
the part of the anti-terrorism law that allows the government to
investigate the reading habits of terror suspects. 

... Last year, a similar provision was derailed by a 210-210 tie after
several Republicans were pressured to switch votes.

....a number of libraries have begun disposing of patrons' records
quickly so they won't be available if sought under the law.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales told Congress in April that the
government has never used the provision to obtain library, bookstore,
medical or gun sale records.

But when asked whether the administration would agree to exclude library
and medical records from the law, Gonzales demurred. "It should not be
held against us that we have exercised restraint," he said.

Authorities have gained access to records through voluntary cooperation
from librarians, Gonzales and FBI Director Robert Mueller said.

Chuck Hamaker
Associate University Librarian Collections and Technical Services
Atkins Library
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Charlotte, NC 28223
phone 704 687-2825