ACLU Commends Spying Subpoenas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: media@dcaclu.org

Washington, DC - The American Civil Liberties Union lauded Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) today after he issued the first round of subpoenas regarding the Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigation into the administration’s domestic spying program. Today Senator Leahy issued subpoenas to the White House and the office of Vice President Dick Cheney. Last week the committee voted to authorize the use of subpoenas to obtain documents related to the National Security Agency’s warrantless wiretapping program. The ACLU launched a webpage in reaction to the vote, which will track the administration’s compliance with the subpoenas.

The following can be attributed to Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office:

"Senator Leahy should be praised for his quick and decisive action on this matter. Less than a week after being given authorization to demand documents, he has come through on his promise to the American people. The White House should take note that this is how you run a thorough and legal investigation - in the open and with proper authorization.

"With the issuance of these subpoenas, the Senate Judiciary Committee has proven that working within the law is not only the constitutional option, it is the only option. Hopefully, now, we will begin to get concrete answers as to how and why Americans’ rights and privacy were violated. This is the beginning of the end of this administration riding roughshod over our Constitution."

The ACLU’s Subpoena Watch webpage is up at:
www.aclu.org/subpoenas

To read more about the work the ACLU has done on NSA Spying, go to:
www.aclu.org/nsaspying