The American Civil Liberties Union, however, said the government is hiding important data from the public on the new law.
Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., said the House Judiciary Committee will be allowed to see some classified information that the intelligence committee routinely has access to regarding the post-Sept. 11 Patriot Act, which expands the search and surveillance powers of the federal government.
"I am satisfied that the Department of Justice has produced answers that are sufficient for the committee's oversight and legislative efforts at this time," Sensenbrenner said in a statement.
The ACLU said the department is refusing to publicly reveal significant facts, such as how often the FBI is using certain surveillance devices and how frequently the FBI orders libraries, bookstores and newspapers to divulge records in light of the new law that was passed last year.
"Rep. Sensenbrenner was apparently given access to information that the Department of Justice has asserted is classified," said the civil liberties group. "The ACLU, however, believes it is critically important that the public learn how Attorney General John Ashcroft is using the vast new surveillance powers granted the government in the USA Patriot Act, and we do not think that the Department of Justice should be hiding its answers behind a classified stamp."
In written answers to Sensenbrenner and to the panel's ranking Democrat, John Conyers of Michigan, the Justice Department declined to say how many times it obtained authority for various types of surveillance.
Sensenbrenner noted, however, that "we have ... resolved" with the House Intelligence Committee "the handling of classified material related to the use of surveillance and search authorities."
Copyright 2002. Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
