Home Legislation Issues Page Civil Rights and Liberties

On the Issues: Civil Liberties

I do not believe that security must come at the expense of core American values or our civil liberties.  Instead, we must work together in a bipartisan way to direct homeland security funding to improve weak spots in our defense, secure our borders, and consider amending laws to help our law enforcement officials do their jobs more effectively.

I am proud that President Obama shares my belief that it is not only possible to strengthen our nation's security without compromising centuries-old constitutional rights but that doing so is the only path that is consistent with our core values as Americans. Click here to read Congressman Wexler's statement in reaction to President Obama's recent speech on national security and civil liberties.

In a sharp departure from Bush era policies, President Obama's first executive orders, signed on January 22, 2009, address the Guantanamo detention facility and Guantanamo detainees.  The President committed to "promptly" close the detention facility and "in order to effect the appropriate disposition of" Guantanamo detainees. The question now is how to evaluate each individual detainee currently being held at Guantanamo and what to do with the remaining detainees. These determinations need to be made in a transparent way so that the American people can be confident that the detainees are treated appropriately without compromising our safety.

Warrantless surveillance of Americans and the reprehensible spying on Americans without court review under the Bush Administration was a black mark on our country’s proud history.  Americans are fortunate that this President has demonstrated his firm commitment to human rights and civil liberties. But regardless of who is in the White House, Congress must not allow constitutional rights to be upheld solely by the executive branch.  Congress started this process over the last few years with reforms like the Responsible Electronic Surveillance That is Overseen Reviewed and Effective (RESTORE) Act of 2007, which takes many significant strides in protecting both our nation and Americans’ civil liberties. 

I look forward to continuing these efforts to protect not only our country but our values as well.