Abolishing Congress on the Installment Plan by William Norman Grigg

“When President Bush signed the reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act this month,” reported the March 24 Boston Globe, “he included an addendum saying that he did not feel obliged to obey requirements that he inform Congress about how the FBI was using the act’s expanded police powers.”

“The bill contained several oversight provisions intended to make sure the FBI did not abuse the special terrorism-related powers to search homes and secretly seize papers,” continued the Globe. “The provisions require Justice Department officials to keep closer track of how often the FBI uses the new powers and in what type of situations. Under the law, the administration would have to provide the information to Congress by certain dates.” That provision helped placate some critics of the measure, thereby ensuring its passage. And now, in a gesture that is equal parts dictatorial arrogance and corrupt bait-and-switch, Mr. Bush has withdrawn that concession after the fact through a “signing statement.”