Despite the opposition of people concerned about civil liberties from across the political spectrum, the Senate approved on March 2 an amended version of the PATRIOT Act. The House approved the changes on March 7.
The Senate voted 89-10 to keep 14 of the 16 provisions that would have expired in 2005. It approved cosmetic changes to two measures related to secret government records searches, and extended them four more years. The House voted 280-138 on their version of the bill.
Senator Patty Murray was one of the 10 senators who opposed this flawed legislation. Representatives Jay Inslee (D-Bainbridge Island) and Jim McDermott (D-Seattle) voted against the House version. Please call or write to thank them for taking a stand in support of freedom and for the system of checks and balances. Here is how to reach them:
Sen. Patty Murray
In Seattle:
2988 Jackson Federal Building
915 Second Ave.
Seattle, WA 98174
Phone: (206) 553-5545
Fax: (206) 553-0891
In Washington D.C.:
173 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2621
Fax: (202) 224-0238
E-mail form: http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactMe.
Rep. Jay Inslee
In Shoreline:
Shoreline Center
18560 First Ave. NE, Suite E-800
Shoreline, WA 98155-2150
Phone: (206) 361-0233
Fax: (206) 361-3959
In Washington, D.C.:
403 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515-4701
Phone: (202) 225-6311
Fax: (202) 226-1606
E-mail form: http://www.house.gov/inslee/contact/email.html
Rep. Jim McDermott
In Seattle:
1809 Seventh Ave., Suite 1212
Seattle, WA 98101-1399
Phone: (206) 553-7170
Fax: (206) 553-7175
In Washington D.C.:
1035 Longworth HOB
Washington DC, 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3106
Fax: (202) 225-6197
E-mail form: http://www.house.gov/mcdermott/contact.shtml