ACTION: Homeland Security Dept. Must Be Open and Accountab

[Guest guest]

ACLU Action Network

>FR: Damon Moglen, National Field Coordinator

>DT: June 27, 2002

>

>

>In the latest threat to civil liberties to emerge from the government's

>response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, the Bush

>Administration's proposed Department of Homeland Security explicitly

>removes structural and legal safeguards necessary to keep the agency open

>and accountable to the public.

>

>The President's proposal contains provisions that exclude the new agency

>from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and whistleblower protections.

>His proposal also lacks guarantees of strong oversight; as proposed, the

>agency's secretary will have veto power over the inspector general's audits

>and investigations.

>

>Take Action! Congress is rushing with unusual haste to pass the President's

>sweeping proposal. Insist that your Members of Congress keep the new

>agency open and accountable to the public. You can learn more and send a

>FREE FAX to preserve open and accountable government from our action alert

>at:

>

>http://www.aclu.org/action/homeland107.html