Nadler to Hold Hearings on FBI’s Misuse of Power to Secretly Gather Private Information

Says the Administration has little regard for legal protections fundamental to a democracy that
values liberty

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, announced plans to hold hearings on the FBI's Secret Records Report, which documents dozens of instances of misuse of individuals’ private records, according to a Justice Department Inspector General investigation released today.

“For years, I’ve been fighting the broad and unchecked power this Administration has sought or asserted under the PATRIOT Act,” says Rep. Nadler, who, in October 2005, gathered the support of 54 Republicans and Democrats and sent a letter to PATRIOT Act conferees asking for help in limiting the scope of one of the most troubling provisions of the bill: Section 505, the so-called National Security Letters (NSLs).  Section 505 authorizes local FBI agents to demand private information using NSLs – without getting a judge’s approval, and without presenting evidence that the person is suspected of a crime.

Three months earlier, Mr. Nadler introduced an amendment to protect Americans’ medical records from secret searches by the FBI under powers granted by Section 505.

“As a free society, we ought to be excessively cautious when we expand police powers so greatly,” Congressman Nadler says.  “We all want our law enforcement officials to be able to track, prevent, and defuse terrorism, but it’s absolutely essential that we maintain the American way of life, even as we struggle against those who despise it.”

“Today’s news that the Administration abused the Patriot Act and illegally seized personal information only confirms my suspicion that they have little regard for legal protections fundamental to a democracy that values liberty.”

“As Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, I intend to specifically look into the Administration’s documented abuse of National Security Letters (NSLs) and Section 215 Searches to gain access to private information about American citizens not engaged in terrorist-related activity.  The Administration’s answer has always been ‘trust us.’ That’s not good enough - the American people are entitled to truth and accountability from their government.”

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