California Senator Barbara Boxer says congress should approve a short term extension of the controversial Patriot Act so several disputed provisions can be fixed. KPBS Reporter Erik Anderson has details.
Boxer says law enforcement agencies need the Patriot Act to fight terrorism in this country. She says its crucial for those agencies to coordinate and communicate, and she backs provision that allow suspects to be identified by name, NOT a phone number. However, Boxer says some provisions go to far, and that's why she's joined senators opposing renewal of the current law.
Boxer: "Every single person who voted no on the patriot act believes what we should do is extend it because there are some very important provisions in it that law enforcement needs."
Boxer says some of the laws provisions give law enforcement agencies too much access to personal information. President George Bush is arguing forcefully to renew the measure. He says America "cannot afford to be without this law for a single moment."
It expires at the end of the month.
Erik Anderson KPBS News
