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January 2006
Welcome to the January edition of my
Washington Report. I hope this newsletter keeps you informed about some
of the important matters facing our State, our Nation, and the U.S.
Senate.
In this edition, you'll find information
about the following:
- The Supreme Court
Confirmation Hearings
- Balancing National
Security and Civil Rights
- Issues in Focus:
Safeguarding California’s Levees
- Winter 2005
Legislative Victories
If
you have any comments or questions on these or any other issues, please
don't hesitate to let me know. Please send any comments you have
through my website.
Best wishes for the new year,
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein
The Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings
This week, the Senate convened confirmation hearings for a second
vacancy on the Supreme Court—the seat currently held by retiring
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
 The Supreme Court is unique in its role as the final arbiter,
setting standards for all other federal courts, and it may revisit
questions of law that it has already ruled upon. Many people may not be
aware of the impact of Supreme Court decisions on their daily lives.
The Court's rulings, however, directly affect all of us in fundamental
ways.
The President has nominated Samuel A. Alito as his choice to fill
the seat of retiring Justice O’Connor. Justice O’Connor
played a pivotal role on the Rehnquist Court and was often the deciding vote on many important issues.
Therefore, if confirmed, Judge Alito will become a key vote on the
Court, and perhaps a decisive one, in many areas of great public
concern.
I believe it will be important for the Senate to learn about
Judge Alito’s views on key issues, such
as: a woman’s right to choose; one man one vote; regulation of
firearms; expansion of Executive Power beyond the law; Civil Rights;
the environment; and the separation of Church and State.
Because in 1985 he expressed his personal legal views on many of
the above subjects, it is relevant to see if Judge Alito still holds
those views today.
The Senate Judiciary Committee
began hearings on Judge Alito’s
nomination on January 9.
Read Senator
Feinstein’s opening statement at the confirmation hearing for
Samuel A. Alito: Opening
Statement of Senator Dianne Feinstein on the Nomination of Samuel A.
Alito to be Associate Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court (1/9/06)
Balancing National Security and Civil Rights
The USA-Patriot Act: In late December 2005, Congress
granted a five-week extension for the USA Patriot Act. This time will
allow for further negotiations on three of the more contentious
elements of the bill – involving the sneak and peak, national
security letters and the so-called library provisions.
 I believe the Patriot Act has been a
valuable tool in our effort to combat terror and it is extremely
important that every effort be made to reach an agreement that avoids a
partisan standoff that diminishes our effectiveness to combat
terrorism.
NSA Domestic Surveillance: Recently, there have been troubling
reports of a decision by the Bush Administration that has threatened to
upset the delicate balance between ensuring national security and
protecting our nation’s Civil Rights. Reports that the President
authorized domestic surveillance of U.S. citizens by the National Security Agency,
in apparent violation of the law, are profoundly troubling. I deeply
believe there needs to be an opportunity to investigate these troubling
revelations.
The President and members of his
administration have tried to assert that the original authorization for
the use of force following 9/11, coupled with the President’s
role as Commander in Chief, allows him to act without statutory
authority. I believe this interpretation of the Constitution is both
incorrect and dangerous, and I am requesting an inquiry into this
issue.
For more, read: Senate
Reaches Compromise on Patriot Act – Authorizing Six Month
Extension of Current Law (12/21/05)
Statement
by Senator Dianne Feinstein On the President’s
Comments
Regarding Patriot Act and Domestic Spying (12/19/05)
Statement by
Senator Dianne Feinstein on Reports the President Authorized Domestic
Spying by the NSA (12/16/05)
Rebuilding, Restoring California’s Levees
In the coming year, one of my highest priorities will be a major
program to rebuild and restore the State of California’s levees and to strengthen the
State’s flood control systems.
While damage from the winter rains is
extremely serious, it pales in comparison with what could happen if
there is a major breach in the State’s levee system. A breach would flood thousands of
acres, destroy hundreds of homes and businesses, and cause fatalities.
 The
lesson of Katrina has to be that we recognize potential failures before
they happen and move aggressively to remedy them. So I will be working with Senator
Boxer, who is a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works
Committee, to develop this program.
We will ask the President for significant
levee funding in his FY07 budget.
We will develop federal legislation to authorize projects and
seek funding in the appropriations process. And we will work with the
Governor’s office and the State legislature to develop a federal-state
partnership.
To learn more, read: Senators
Feinstein, Boxer, Bipartisan Group of 6 California Representatives Urge
FEMA, SBA to Assist in Prompt Preliminary Assessment of Northern
California Flood Damage (1/3/06)
Senator
Feinstein Calls for Major Program to Restore, Rebuild California Levees
(12/30/05)
Feinstein,
Boxer, 4 Northern California Representatives Call on Delegation to Unite
Behind Plan to Protect State from Flooding (9/23/05)
Winter 2005 Legislative Victories
During the last few weeks of December 2005, we were able to
accomplish some important legislative victories for the State of California.
 The President has
now signed into law legislation to provide for the addition of 25,000
acres to the Redwoods National Park and 4,500 acres to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
This Bay Area landmark will now include sweeping views of the San Mateo Coast, several miles of public trails, rich farmland, and an
incredible array of wildlife and vegetation. And adding thousands of
acres of California’s magnificent redwood forests from the Mill Creek property
to the Redwood National Park is a historic step and will enable us to protect this natural
treasure for generations to come.
We also enacted legislation to authorize the restoration of the
Angel Island Immigration Station. The Angel Island Immigration Station
was the entry point for over 1 million immigrants from 1910-1940. This
included approximately 175,000 Chinese immigrants who were detained at Angel Island before they were granted entry to San Francisco. And now, just as we have preserved Ellis Island in the East, I am pleased that the federal government will make
an equal commitment to our Western port of entry, Angel Island.
Legislation to expand the role of an existing youth land corps,
focusing their work on hazardous fuels reduction and disaster
prevention and relief projects, was also signed into law. The expansion
of the youth land corps will give thousands more a sense of personal
pride, help them to connect them with their community, and allow them
to see for themselves that hard work pays off.
And in a related environmental victory, Congress also struck down
a provision that would allow for drilling in the Artic National
Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). I believe that it is not worth damaging a
pristine, environmentally valuable Refuge without providing this ANWR
will not provide this country with energy security. I was very pleased
that we were able to ensure the continued protection of this
These are important victories. I am proud that Congress is doing
its part to protect California’s rich historic and natural treasures.
Read: Legislation Protecting
California’s Natural Resources Ready for President’s
Signature Into Law (12/6/05)
Senate Approves Bill to Restore
Angel Island Immigration Station (11/16/05)
Senator Feinstein’s Bill to
Expand Role of Youth Conservation Corps Goes to President for Signature
(12/19/05)
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