Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold At the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on "Continued Oversight on the Patriot Act" May 10, 2005 Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for holding this hearing. I am pleased that we have the opportunity to hear from critics of the PATRIOT Act today. I hope that the Committee will continue to hold hearings this year on both the PATRIOT Act and on other post-September 11 civil liberties issues. We still have much ground to cover. I am particular gratified that we are hearing today from my colleagues, Senator Craig and Senator Durbin, about the Security and Freedom Enhancement Act, or SAFE Act of 2005, S. 737. This bipartisan legislation ensures that our government has the tools it needs to fight terrorism, while also providing the oversight needed to protect civil liberties. It addresses the most controversial surveillance sections of the PATRIOT Act, including some provisions that sunset and some that do not. And the bipartisan SAFE Act has broad support from organizations of all political stripes and colors – the deepest reds and blues, and everywhere in between. Mr. Chairman, the SAFE Act does not repeal the PATRIOT Act. It simply modifies a small number of particularly controversial provisions. Had the SAFE Act’s changes been part of the PATRIOT Act three and a half years ago, I might very well have voted for that legislation. And I don’t make that statement lightly. I hope the Committee will take up the SAFE Act in the coming months, as we continue our review of the PATRIOT Act and consider reasonable modifications. I welcome our witnesses, and look forward to continuing to work with my Committee colleagues on these important issues.

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