Experts debate Patriot Act

WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- Experts debated Thursday at a legislative hearing whether the power given the government by the USA Patriot Act should be expanded or reined in.

"Either fix it or nix it," said James Dempsey of Center for Democracy and Technology in his testimony to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Experts were split on section 215 of the act, which deals with access to records and personal items under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The debate comes as the The New York Times reported Thursday that Senate Republicans are pushing a new version of the act that would give the FBI expanded powers.

Several provisions of the Patriot Act are set to expire at the end of the year, and Congress is holding multiple hearings on their renewal.

Experts said the law should be re-enacted after incorporating certain checks and balances.

Viet Dinh, former assistant attorney general for legal policy and an author of the act, said there is "genuine but unfounded" fear in the minds of citizens, which the government must address.