[ovrtaxt]

But Jim Harper, a former judiciary committee staffer who now serves as director of information policy studies for the libertarian Cato Institute in Washington, believes the way the bill is written does not limit the secretary's powers to removing environmental impediments.

"Taking judicial review away is quite dramatic," he told WND. "The secretary, under a strict reading, could waive any law and conceivably detain people, wiretap -- the list would go on and on of the laws that could be waived."

Harper said he objects to the bill being run through so quickly, which limits participation in the process to only the most aggressive players in Congress.

That's kind of freaky. While I agree with the intent of this law, these kinds of issues need to be amended first. Security isn't worth crap without liberty.

[Flyer]

necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads

The way I read this, the "Waive all laws" ONLY pertains to the building of barriers and roads at the border. The intent would seem to be to get it out of the courts and get'r done.

[kevkrom]

"Taking judicial review away is quite dramatic," he told WND. "The secretary, under a strict reading, could waive any law and conceivably detain people, wiretap -- the list would go on and on of the laws that could be waived."

That's going way over the top with hysterics. The ability to waive laws is restricted solely "to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads under this section" -- it's not a blank check to suspend laws about detention, wiretap, etc.