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Senator Wyden had a town hall last night. In it, I witnessed a constituent share concern about device searches at the border. The Senator said he shared the con

Senator Wyden had a town hall last night. In it, I witnessed a constituent share concern about device searches at the border. The Senator said he shared the concern, that he would investigate, and that he would introduce legislation if he did not like the results of that investigation. This is the result of his promise, delivered that same night. Representative Democracy works. Talk to your representatives. Edit - the letter: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/download/?id=B947731A-2394-484B-81E3-FDD49530EBF4&download=1 https://www.wyden.senate.gov/download/?id=B947731A-2394-484B...

belovedeagle 10y ago
So you reckon than in less than 24 hours the senator has completed a thorough investigation and also had time to draft a bill? Or maybe is it the case that this work has been ongoing for months...?
- chc 10y ago
  According to the OP, he just announced that he intends to draft a bill. Has he actually released one now?
- AckSyn 10y ago
  I wouldn't doubt if there were an experienced and competent lawmaker, s/he would be able to have a bill draft up within a day or two. Much like many of us in the tech industry, coming up with a basic framework for automation in a 24 hr period can be done. Obviously in both cases more work needs to be done but the basics are there. And researching egregious border guard incidents is a quick internet search away. One hour of that will have you fuming.
- NegativeK 10y ago
  "Staff, has anyone looked into border device searches without warrants? Yes? Okay, you've provided a good summary of the challenges surrounding the issue. Please compile your work into draft legislation that we can release today."
- dragonwriter 10y ago
  > So you reckon than in less than 24 hours the senator has completed a thorough investigation and also had time to draft a bill? No, I think on less than 24 hours, he's directed his staff to do so, and they have. > Or maybe is it the case that this work has been ongoing for months...? It may leverage background work that has been done in the past without being directed at a specific legislative outcome; finding that existing work, presenting a summary and recommended course of action, and then following through with drafting a bill is fairly routine legislative staff work, and there's certainly lots of work that's been done and is available on the issue from both government and non-government sources that staff could readily find, summarize, and present as the basis for an action decision.
- unchocked 10y ago
  No. The letter referenced is from Senator Wyden to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and was delivered that same night. It contains a list of questions with a deadline for response, and states the Senator's intention to introduce legislation in the near future. It probably took a staffer less than an hour, and it will be received at DHS with more weight than all of our combined cynicism.
- tn13 10y ago
  Hypothetically let us say the Senator was already working on this in past why do we care ? A good politician keeps his fingers in many pies and knows when to withdraw. What matters is the senator here delivered pretty quick and deserves appreciation.
selimthegrim 10y ago
If it makes you feel any better, I tried to buttonhole Sen. Cassidy about this (Wyden's letter) at his town hall today (and will try to do so tomorrow again). Not that I expect anything to come from it, but glad I saw your comment!

belovedeagle 10y ago

So you reckon than in less than 24 hours the senator has completed a thorough investigation and also had time to draft a bill? Or maybe is it the case that this work has been ongoing for months...?

chc 10y ago
According to the OP, he just announced that he intends to draft a bill. Has he actually released one now?
AckSyn 10y ago
I wouldn't doubt if there were an experienced and competent lawmaker, s/he would be able to have a bill draft up within a day or two. Much like many of us in the tech industry, coming up with a basic framework for automation in a 24 hr period can be done. Obviously in both cases more work needs to be done but the basics are there. And researching egregious border guard incidents is a quick internet search away. One hour of that will have you fuming.
NegativeK 10y ago
"Staff, has anyone looked into border device searches without warrants? Yes? Okay, you've provided a good summary of the challenges surrounding the issue. Please compile your work into draft legislation that we can release today."
dragonwriter 10y ago
> So you reckon than in less than 24 hours the senator has completed a thorough investigation and also had time to draft a bill? No, I think on less than 24 hours, he's directed his staff to do so, and they have. > Or maybe is it the case that this work has been ongoing for months...? It may leverage background work that has been done in the past without being directed at a specific legislative outcome; finding that existing work, presenting a summary and recommended course of action, and then following through with drafting a bill is fairly routine legislative staff work, and there's certainly lots of work that's been done and is available on the issue from both government and non-government sources that staff could readily find, summarize, and present as the basis for an action decision.
unchocked 10y ago
No. The letter referenced is from Senator Wyden to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and was delivered that same night. It contains a list of questions with a deadline for response, and states the Senator's intention to introduce legislation in the near future. It probably took a staffer less than an hour, and it will be received at DHS with more weight than all of our combined cynicism.
tn13 10y ago
Hypothetically let us say the Senator was already working on this in past why do we care ? A good politician keeps his fingers in many pies and knows when to withdraw. What matters is the senator here delivered pretty quick and deserves appreciation.

selimthegrim 10y ago

If it makes you feel any better, I tried to buttonhole Sen. Cassidy about this (Wyden's letter) at his town hall today (and will try to do so tomorrow again). Not that I expect anything to come from it, but glad I saw your comment!