House Judicial Chief Rips FBI Surveillance

Sensenbrenner: New Freedoms Hearken To 'Bad Old Days'

The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says the FBI's new surveillance powers go too far.

U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., said he fears the bureau risks a return to what he calls the "bad old days" of abuses in domestic spying.

Sensenbrenner told CNN on Saturday that he wants Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller (pictured, right) to testify before his committee on why the changes are necessary.

Sensenbrenner, who made clear he doesn't support the removal of Mueller as some legislators do, noted that the regulations that are being relaxed had been developed under Republican President Gerald Ford to bring an end to FBI excesses.

The new surveillance guidelines, announced this week by Ashcroft, allow the FBI to monitor Internet sites, libraries, churches and political organizations without evidence of prior wrongdoing to help prevent acts of terrorism.

Sensenbrenner's criticism isn't the first to target Mueller. In an editorial this week, the Washington Post called for Mueller's resignation, citing ineffective leadership and contradiction.

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