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Ashcroft presses Congress on anti-terrorism measures

US Attorney General John Ashcroft returned to Capitol Hill for the second time in as many days yesterday, trying to sell wary members of Congress on a proposed new package of anti-terrorism measures.

While many legislators agree with Ashcroft that some laws need to be broadened, such as ones covering wiretaps, they fear several of his proposals would go too far and violate civil liberties.

"We must also be careful not to bite off more than we can chew," said Representatvie John Conyers of Michigan, top Democrat on the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.

"Past experience has taught us that today's weapons against terrorism may be tomorrow's weapon against law-abiding Americans," he warned.

Conyers expressed the view of many at a Judiciary Committee hearing on Monday at which Ashcroft asked Congress to move swiftly on his package. He testified yesterday before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, Ashcroft wants Congress to give law enforcement officers expanded powers to tap telephones, conduct searches, seize assets and detain suspected terrorists.

But critics complain about provisions that would allow indefinite detentions, permit searches without notification of the targets and broaden the definition of terrorism to the point where some could be convicted merely on grounds of association rather than any specific activity.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner had planned for his panel to create a bill based on Ashcroft's proposals yesterday.

But following Monday's hearing, the Wisconsin Republican agreed to postpone action for at least a week to give lawmakers and the administration more time to talk and compromise.

"Everyone who is involved in the process is going to have to bend a bit," Sensenbrenner said.
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