Lawmaker wants probe of AG's trips

[seemslikeadream]

September 15, 2004

WASHINGTON (AP) — Leading House Democrat John Conyers asked the Justice Department’s watchdog yesterday to investigate Attorney General John Ashcroft’s trips last year to promote the anti-terror Patriot Act.

Conyers, a Michigan representative and the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, contends a pair of speaking tours Ashcroft took broke laws barring publicity campaigns and grass-roots lobbying by executive branch officials, unless authorized by Congress.

Conyers requested the investigation in a letter to Glenn Fine, the Justice Department’s inspector general. A spokesman for Fine said no decision has been made on the request.

..

Conyers also released a review by the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, estimating the cost of Ashcroft’s Patriot Act trips at more than $208,000, not counting expenditures by U.S. attorney’s offices around the country in connection with the initiative.

The Patriot Act, passed overwhelmingly by Congress a few weeks after the 2001 terror attacks, gave federal law enforcement expanded powers of surveillance and prosecution against suspected terrorists, their helpers and fund-raisers.

more
http://www.michigandaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/09/15/41481da57e6bc

Posted on Wed, Sep. 15, 2004

$200,000 Patriot Act tour spurs criticism of Ashcroft

By Shannon McCaffrey

WASHINGTON - Attorney General John Ashcroft's 32-city tour last year to promote the Patriot Act kicked up fresh criticism Tuesday after a new review by congressional investigators placed the price tag at $200,000.
more
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/nation/9668152.htm

[Robbien]

1. If the Patriot Act is such a good thing

we wouldn't need an ad blitz trying to convince us it is a good thing. And to add insult to injury, we shouldn't be the ones to pay for it.

But isn't this the same as the ad blitz that went on on our dime for the Medicare prescription cards. Shouldn't that also be investigated?

But again, Conyers is asking Ashcroft to investigate Ashcroft. How weird is this.

[w4rma]

2. Ashcroft's name isn't in the headline next to "probe". Interesting. (nt)