White House seeks renewal of intel laws

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The Obama administration has told Congress the Patriot Act, which outlines U.S. government surveillance methods, should be renewed but could be tweaked.

In a letter sent by the Justice Department to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the administration recommended swift action on the legislation but added that the administration was "willing to consider" additional privacy safeguards so long as they don't "undermine the effectiveness of these important authorities," The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Three provisions due to expire Dec. 31 allow investigators to use roving wiretaps to monitor terror suspects, obtain business records of national security targets and track "lone wolves" who may be acting alone on behalf of foreign powers or terrorist groups, the Post said. The government hasn't used the lone wolf provision but department officials said they want to make sure they can in the future if needed.

Wiretapping and surveillance became politically charged during the George W. Bush administration after The New York Times revealed a years-long secret electronic monitoring program gathered sensitive information without court approval.

Leaders of the House and Senate Judiciary committees have scheduled hearings on reauthorizing the Patriot Act's expiring provisions for next week.

Sens. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., and Richard Durbin, D-Ill., said they will introduce a bill that would enhance privacy safeguards.

"We must take this opportunity to get it right, once and for all," the senators said in a joint statement.