From his web site:
"Congressman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) sharply criticized the White House for threatening a veto of the $39.8 billion Commerce, Justice and State Appropriations Bill if his amendment, which modifies Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act, passes. Sanders’ amendment would prevent government agents from using the secret federal intelligence court to access the reading records of library or bookstore patrons.
Sanders said; “Every American wants to fight terrorism vigorously, but they want to do it in a way that does not undermine basic Constitutional rights. American citizens across the political spectrum, from the most progressive to the most conservative, have made it very clear that they do not want the government monitoring their reading habits when they walk into a library or a bookstore. How can the President say that we are a beacon of freedom when he is working to cut back the very freedoms that Americans have fought and died for?”
Over 300 municipalities, as well as 4 states and dozens of library, publishing, civil liberty and privacy rights organizations oppose sections of the USA Patriot Act that unnecessarily infringe on fundamental American civil liberties."