Joint Statement on the Patriot Act

The Bipartisan Working Group of Former Government Officials convened a small working group of former executive and legislative branch officials from both political parties, with expertise in counterterrorism law and practice, in an effort to reach consensus on what should be done with regard to the expiring provisions. Those deliberations resulted in the unanimous recommendations set forth in a letter to Congress and current Government Officials.

Members of the Working Group include, among others, Brookings Vice President and Director of Foreign Policy Studies, James B. Steinberg and Brookings Senior Fellow, Richard Falkenrath.

Letter to the Honorable F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Chairman, House Committee on the Judiciary, and to Members of the U.S. House of Representatives » (PDF—181kb)

Letter to the Honorable Arlen Specter, Chairman, Senate Committee on the Judiciary, and to Members of the U.S. Senate » (PDF—230kb)