FBI Director Urges Congress To Make PATRIOT Act Provisions Permanent

FBI Director Robert Mueller told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday that three provisions included in the USA PATRIOT Act should be made permanent. 

The surveillance mechanisms that allow for “roving” wiretaps to be installed on multiple communications devices, set up of a special court  that can grant access to business and library records and surveillance of suspicious non-American “lone wolf” suspects are the three provisions Mueller said would benefit U.S. security. They are set to expire on May 27. 

Mueller, nearing the end of his 10-year term limit, assumed his position heading the Bureau just one week before the attacks on September 11, 2001. 

The FBI chief was also faced with questions on agents withholding certain Miranda rights from suspects during interrogation if there is an immediate threat. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said reading suspects their Miranda rights would be “counterproductive” but Mueller responded by saying the FBI must work within the confines of the law.

Mueller is scheduled to step down this fall.