Little-known Provision in Patriot Act Rears its Ugly Head

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Robert J. Berger" <rberger () ibd com>
Date: January 25, 2007 2:38:19 PM EST
To: David Farber <dave () farber net>, Dewayne Hendricks  
<dewayne () warpspeed com>
Subject: Little-known Provision in Patriot Act Rears its Ugly Head

Feinstein Concerned over Resignation of at Least Seven US Attorneys
Author: Feinstein office Published on Jan 17, 2007, 08:48

http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/printer_49510.shtml

In a speech on the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D- 
Calif.) today expressed concern about the fact that a number of U.S.  
Attorneys have been asked by the Department of Justice to resign  
their positions prior to the end of their terms and without cause.

In a little noticed provision included in the Patriot Act  
reauthorization last year, the Administration's authority to appoint  
interim U.S. Attorneys was greatly expanded. The law was changed so  
that if a vacancy arises the Attorney General may appoint a  
replacement for an indefinite period of time – thus completely  
avoiding the Senate confirmation process

Senators Feinstein, Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.)  
last week introduced the Preserving United States Attorney  
Independence Act, which would prevent further circumvention of the  
Senate's constitutional prerogative to confirm U.S. Attorneys and  
restore appointment authority to the appropriate District Courts.

The full text of Senator Feinstein's floor statement at link.
http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/printer_49510.shtml


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