] THIS YEAR'S intelligence authorization bill provided a
] little-noticed and dangerous expansion of a peculiar and
] unaccountable FBI investigative power. Last-minute
] efforts to modify the provision in conference committee
] failed, unfortunately, so the bureau now has more power
] to compel the production of certain business records in
] national security investigations, with no court oversight
] and in nearly total secrecy. The use of "national
] security letters" is not new, but in light of new
] authorities provided the FBI in the USA Patriot Act,
] Congress should be finding ways to curtail their use, not
] expand it.