Analysis of Personal Data Privacy and Security Act
From the U.S. Public Policy Committee of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Data security & privacy bill part of a crowded Senate agenda (Part 1). Part 2, published July 13, 2005
Category «Congress»
NY Times Editorial Today on Patriot Act
“Unnecessary Powers: The Patriot Act already gives government too much power to spy on ordinary Americans, but things could get far worse. Congress is considering adding a broad new investigative power, known as the administrative subpoena, that would allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation to gain access to anyone’s financial, medical, employment and even library …
E-Mail Preferred Way for Constituents to Communicate with Congress
Communicating with Congress: How Capitol Hill is Coping with the Surge in Citizen Advocacy; “The Internet and e-mail have made it easier and cheaper than ever before for citizens to communicate with their Members of Congress. In 2004, Congress received 200 million communications, four times more than in 1995 — the direct result of Internet-based …
Wireless 411 Privacy Act
S. 1350: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to protect the privacy rights of subscribers to wireless communications services. “The legislation would require wireless carriers to have a clear pre-authorization before listing a subscriber’s name and number in a directory. The bill also prevents call forwarding services from connecting callers without giving …
Congressional Focus on FOIA Galvanizes Disparate Groups In Support of Open Access to Gov. Docs.
From the Washington Post (reg. req’d), Openness Law May Get Muscle – A Diverse Coalition Pushes for Freedom of Information Act Compliance. Related references on this legislation.
Call for Hearings on UK WMD Memos
Text of Letter from Democratic House Judiciary Committee Members to Committee Chairmen Regarding the Downing Street Minutes (6/30/05) See also related links available in this posting: Downing Street Memo Continues to Provoke Responses from Hill and Media
President Responds to WMD Commission Recommendations
Fact Sheet: Bush Administration Implements WMD Commission Recommendations, June 29, 2005. “Today, President Bush Announced Actions To Implement Recommendations In The WMD Commission’s Report To Make America Safer And To Ensure The Intelligence Community Is Prepared To Address The Threats Of The 21st Century. The Administration endorsed 70 of the 74 recommendations of the WMD …
Hearing on Air Passenger Screening System and Watch Lists
“CDT Executive Director Jim Dempsey today warned a House subcommittee [Testimony: 12 pages, PDF]that government efforts to create a new air traveler screening system — called Secure Flight — have yet to adequately address critical issues concerning the system’s effectiveness and ability to protect the privacy and due process rights of Americans. CDT said that …
Patriot Act Reauthorization Hearings Available From GPO
Now available from GPO Access: Serial No. 109-10, Reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act (80 pages, PDF). Serial No. 109-12, USA Patriot Act: A Review for the Purpose of Reauthorization (168 pages, PDF).
Specter, Leahy Introduce Personal Data Privacy And Security Act Of 2005
Press release: “…the Personal Data Privacy and Security Act of 2005, legislation…would help consumers better protect the privacy of their personal information in the face of recurrent data security breaches across the country…” Note that the press release includes: key features and a summary of the Specter-Leahy legislation, Senator Leahy’s statements on the introduction of …
New Bill Seeks to Strengthen Role of DHS Privacy Officer
CDT reports that today Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduced HR. 3041, the “Privacy Officer With Enhanced Rights Act of 2005” (the POWER Act). “The bill would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to clarify investigative authorities and provide independence to the Privacy Officer of the DHS. It would help the Privacy Officer take steps …
Senate Approves Open Government Act
Press release from Sen. Patrick Leahy: “Legislation passed by the U.S. Senate on Friday will bring increased sunshine to the federal legislative process, and was another step toward strengthening the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), its sponsors say. The reform, authored by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) creates additional legislative transparency …
