Justin Amash Slams New Attempt to Expand the Patriot Act

“An assault on the Constitution”

By: Elias J. Atienza

Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) slammed the newest attempt to expand the Patriot Act on Twitter.

Called the “Anti-terrorism Information Sharing Is Strength Act,’, the bill would expand information sharing among federal agencies. More specifically, the bill would update Section 314 of the Patriot Act, regarding information sharing among federal agencies, and replace the words “money laundering activities,” with “money laundering activities or a specified unlawful activity.”

The bill would also encourage financial institutions, including “nonbank financial institutions,” to “share information about such acts and activities with each other to the fullest extent possible and in a timely fashion.’’

Amash slammed the bill as an assault on the Constitution and the right to do due process. Requiring that financial institutions to share information with intelligence agencies can be seen as a violation of the 4th Amendment.

In a series of tweets, Amash outlined why he opposed the bill.

The bill, according to Amash, is up on the floor of the House on Monday. Certain provisions of the Patriot Act expired last year when Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) filibustered to force them to expire. The USA Freedom Act replaced them and was supported by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT).