Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House ("The Policies of War: Refocus the mission," San Francisco Chronicle, 11/11/03)

"We must ensure that the legal tools provided are not abused, and indeed, that they do not undermine the very foundation our country was built upon."

"I strongly believe the Patriot Act was not created to be used in crimes unrelated to terrorism."

"Recent reports, including one from the General Accounting Office, however indicate that the Patriot Act has been employed in investigations unconnected to terrorism or national security.

In our battle against those that detest our free and prosperous society, we cannot sacrifice any of the pillars our nation stands upon, namely respect for the Constitution and the rule of law. Our enemies in the war against terrorism abuse the Islamic law known as the Sharia that they claim to value. It is perversely used as justification for their horrific and wanton acts of violence.

We must demonstrate to the world that America is the best example of what a solid Constitution with properly enforced laws can bring to those who desire freedom and safety. If we become hypocrites about our own legal system, how can we sell it abroad or question legal systems different than our own?

I strongly believe Congress must act now to rein in the Patriot Act, limit its use to national security concerns and prevent it from developing "mission creep" into areas outside of national security.

Similarly, if prosecutors lack the necessary legislation to combat other serious domestic crimes, crimes not connected to terrorism, then lawmakers should seek to give prosecutors separate legislation to provide them the tools they need, but again not at the expense of civil rights. But in no case should prosecutors of domestic crimes seek to use tools intended for national security purposes.

This war against terrorism requires Americans and American institutions to have the "courage to be safe," this courage must include keeping to the American principles that have made this country great for more than 200 years."

Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter (R-ID) ("Otter to speak on Patriot Act dissent," Idaho State Journal, 11/9/2003)

"You cannot give up freedom, you cannot give up liberty, and be safe. When your freedom is lost, it makes no difference who took it away from you. (The terrorists) have won. What did they want to do? Take away our freedom. They've won in some cases."

Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee ("Senators join forces to roll back parts of Patriot Act," Washington Times, 10/16/03)

[On the introduction of the Security and Freedom Ensured (SAFE) Act]

"This has nothing to do with the current administration; it's about putting into effect the right law."

"It's time we adjusted this law to assure civil liberties are not being trampled."

David Keene, Chairman of the American Conservative Union ("Civil liberties advocates laud Sununu for stand on Patriot Act reform," Manchester Union Leader, 10/16/2003)

"These are people who are now taking a look at it and saying much of this is a good law, but let's make sure we didn't go too far. While the government should have all the power it needs to protect us, it shouldn't have all the power it'd like to have."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) ("Hatch alarms right over anti-terror act," Salt Lake Tribune, 9/15/2003)

"To date it appears portions of the Patriot Act may have moved the scales out of balance"

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