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Defying anti lobbying act { August 22 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/22/politics/22PATR.html http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/22/politics/22PATR.html August 22, 2003 Ashcroft Criticized for Talks on Terror By ERIC LICHTBLAU WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 — Attorney General John Ashcroft faced sharp criticism today from Democrats and others over his decision to give more than a dozen speeches around the country in defense of anti-terrorism legislation passed after the Sept. 11 attacks. Representative John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, told Mr. Ashcroft in a letter that he should either "desist from further speaking engagements" or explain why they do not violate restrictions on political activities by government officials. Mr. Conyers said that the speeches in defense of the USA Patriot Act, as the antiterrorism law is known, appeared to conflict with Congressional restrictions preventing the use of Justice Department money for "publicity or propaganda purposes not authorized by Congress." He said they might also violate the Anti-Lobbying Act and its restrictions on grass-roots lobbying on legislative matters. Lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union raised similar concerns about Mr. Ashcroft's speaking tour, which began this week in Washington, Detroit, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Des Moines and will continue over the next three weeks. The message in all the speeches has been that despite rising criticism the Patriot Act has proved an essential tool in fighting terrorism. Barbara Comstock, the Justice Department spokeswoman, said Mr. Ashcroft's speaking tour had been thoroughly reviewed by department lawyers and was "entirely appropriate" under federal law. Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company

Adolph ashcroft { December 1 2001 } Ash sings { March 4 2002 } Ashcroft addressing christ coalition [jpg] Ashcroft discusses new powers Ashcroft in icu with pancreatitis Ashcroft makes blacklist of judges { August 7 2003 } Ashcroft patriot act campaign { August 19 2003 } Ashcroft resigns from cabinet Ashcroft rove connection { October 2 2003 } Ashcroft rove ties scrutinized Ashcroft sued after re classify public records { June 24 2004 } Ashcroft to plug victory act Ashcroft traitor aug 20 03 [jpg] Ashcroft wants broader laws { June 5 2003 } Ashcroft wants more death penalty Ashcroft wants stronger patriot act { June 6 2003 } Ashcroft wants tougher patriot act { June 30 2004 } Ashcroft_patriot_act [jpg] Crisco kid Defying anti lobbying act { August 22 2003 } Justice statues bare breasts after ashcroft { June 24 2005 } Missouri attorney general ashcroft misused office for campaign { November 10 2004 } No excuses from ashcroft { June 6 2003 } Reducing plea bargain discretion { September 23 2003 } Rips anti patriot act hysteria Rove worked with ashcroft { October 2 2003 } Seizing dictatorial { November 15 2001 } Files Listed: 27

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