JUST GIVE FBI WHAT IT NEEDS

America has awakened to a new and chilling reality: We are the target of
terrorists. That reality demands a new attitude, with respect to law
enforcement.

President Bush has declared war on terror and asked Congress to update the
laws for federal law enforcement. Changes must be made to reflect
technology, improve information sharing between law enforcement and other
agencies and expand federal powers for this multi-front war. Some lawmakers
want these changes to be effective for only 2 years. But to sunset these
measures would ignore the new reality. Terrorism is not a passing threat.
We must be prepared for the long haul. The challenge is to prevent future
attacks, in addition to investigating those of Sept. 11. It doesn't make
sense to stamp an expiration date on new tools for federal law enforcement.

Investigations would be seriously handicapped if federal prosecutors and
agents were trained on new standards only to be required to return to the
old ways in 2 short years. And sunset provisions would adversely affect
ongoing investigations. If the authority to obtain information about online
activity were rescinded, for example, then investigation of online criminal
activity - even where it poses an immediate threat - would be significantly
hobbled.

This isn't the first time law enforcement has been given stronger tools.
Congress has authorized expanded investigative authority to fight organized
crime and drug trafficking. This power has been effective. And if it can be
used to undermine mobsters and drug thugs, it should be available to
prevent and investigate terrorist activity.

Some are concerned about expanding the authority of federal law
enforcement. Here, it's important to remember that Congress has a
constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight. We are obliged to make
sure federal law enforcement agencies use new investigative authority in a
manner that abides by the Constitution.

Our new reality demands new commitments. The president has made a
commitment to fight terrorism. Now Congress is about to make a commitment
to federal law enforcement, so the agencies can do what the president has
asked. We shouldn't hamper the effort by sunsetting the very means by which
law enforcement agencies can do their part to win the war on terrorism.