Congress Pressed to Renew Library-Search Powers
by Alan Elsner, Reuters

Congress must keep U.S. libraries from becoming terrorist "havens" by renewing legislation that allows authorities to seize library and bookstore records, Bush administration officials testified on Thursday.

"Libraries should not be carved out as safe havens for terrorists and spies. We know for a fact that terrorists and spies use public libraries," said Ken Wainstein, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.

Wainstein appeared before the House of Representatives subcommittee on crime, terrorism and homeland security to support the Bush administration's drive to renew provisions of the USA Patriot Act which have been sharply criticized by civil-liberties advocates.


Full story here.