Following the September 11, occurrences Attorney General Jim Ryan proposed the anti-terrorism bill. Under this bill law enforcement official will be able to wiretap all telephones used by suspect terrorist as well as allow FBI agents to obtain billing records from hotels, phone companies and seize money or property from suspects (O’Connor, John; Associated Press State & Local Wire). The need for court orders to perform the aforementioned will no longer be necessary. Under Jim Ryan’s legislation the

definition of terrorism is also narrowed down in order to prevent civil activist groups from being deprived of their first amendment

The anti-terrorism bill was passed unanimously through the house, with a 355-66 vote, and the senate, with a 98-1 vote, at a rapid pace (www.chiadaily.com). According to president Bush the bill is “an essential step in defeating terrorism” (www.latimes.com). In order to prevent the over exercise of power by law enforcement agents, an expiration date was placed on wiretapping and surveillance power. The expiration year is set for 2005. The anti-terrorism bill was carefully written to protect the citizens and yet preserve their civil liberties. The anti-terrorism bill has an expiration date, thus making it a temporary state and leaving room for open review in five years. The notion of “drastic means calls for drastic measures” can be applied to this situation. The safety of the United States was called into question and the U.S. government has

As a representative democratic nation the anti-terrorism bill cannot be enacted without it being passed through the house and the senate. In the House of Representatives, each member represents their district and generally votes according to the public approval of a bill, within their respective district. This allows for citizens to have a voice in public policy. If the citizens in each district felt their rights were being violated with the anti-terrorism bill they have the ability to lobby their representatives to vote against such measure. In essence no bill c

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