Ashcroft wants powers expanded to fight terror

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Attorney General John Ashcroft told House members yesterday that the investigative and prosecutorial tools Congress approved after September 11 have helped thwart terrorist attacks but that more are needed.

In his first appearance before the House Judiciary Committee since winning passage 18 months ago of legislation giving federal investigators more powers, Mr. Ashcroft said he wants stiffer penalties for those who train with terrorists and a penalty of execution or life in prison for some terrorist acts not now eligible for those punishments.

Mr. Ashcroft said changes in the law will help prosecutors make deals and break other terrorist cells still operating in the United States. "When individuals realize that they face a long prison term, like those under the Patriot Act, they will try to cut their prison time by pleading guilty and cooperating with the government," he said.

He told lawmakers the USA Patriot Act has worked.

"Our ability to prevent another catastrophic attack on American soil would be more difficult, if not impossible, without the Patriot Act," Mr. Ashcroft said. "It has been the key weapon used across America in successful counterterrorist operations to protect innocent Americans from the deadly plans of terrorists."

He cited more than 15 plea bargains obtained since September 11 in which individuals agreed to cooperate with authorities and provide information about al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

One individual, he said, gave them information on where weapons were stored in the United States, while another identified al Qaeda targets.

But several members of the committee, including the Republican chairman, said they want to make sure the powers extended in the Patriot Act aren't abused. Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. of Wisconsin, the chairman, told Mr. Ashcroft that his support for the Patriot Act "is neither perpetual nor unconditional."

Democrats on the committee went even further.