Civil Liberties
Senator Clinton voted for the USA Patriot Act when it was originally passed in 2001, and voted to renew it in 2006.
Clinton is a cosponsor of measures to restore habeas rights to detainees in the war on terror, and has called for the closure of the detention center at Guantanamo. At a hearing of the Senate Arms Services Committee, she said that, "Guantanamo has become associated in the eyes of the world with a discredited administration policy of abuse, secrecy, and contempt for the rule of law. Rather than keeping us more secure, keeping Guantanamo open is harming our national interests. It compromises our long-term military and strategic interests, and it impairs our standing overseas. I have certainly concluded that we should address any security issues on what to do with the remaining detainees, and then close it once and for all..."
Clinton has attacked President Bush for the NSA wiretapping program, saying that Bush lacked the legal authority to order wiretaps without judicial warrants. She has said, however, that she would allow wiretaps without warrants in certain cases during "the immediate aftermath of war" and that in certain "emergencies" she would allow law enforcement to eavesdrop first and subsequently get a warrant.
Clinton has strongly supported comprehensive civil rights legislation including the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Fair Pay Restoration Act, the Equal Remedies Act, and the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, also known as the "hate crimes" bill, which strengthens the federal government's ability to investigate and prosecute hate crimes.
Senator Hillary R. Clinton: Civil and Constitutional Rights
Immigration
Clinton supports comprehensive immigration reform, which includes tightening our border security, sanctioning employers who employ undocumented immigrants, and a path to earned legal status for undocumented immigrants who are working hard, paying taxes, respecting the law, and willing to meet a high bar, including learning English.
Clinton, together with Senators, Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), introduced an amendment to the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 that would remove barriers to reunification for the nuclear families of lawful permanent residents. The amendment would reclassify the spouses and minor children of lawful permanent immigrants as "immediate relatives," thereby exempting them from the visa caps.
"The United States is a country built by immigrants, but our laws are tearing legal immigrant families apart," said Clinton. "Hundreds of thousands of lawful permanent residents have been waiting for years to be reunited with their spouses and children due to visa backlogs. These are taxpaying, law-abiding residents. These are people who otherwise would be admitted into this country, but they are forced to wait because of a tragic numbers game. It is unconscionable that they are being forced to choose between their family and their newly adopted country."
Clinton has cosponsored the "DREAM" Act, which would enable many hardworking young immigrants to attend college. She has also supported the Access to Employment and English Acquisition Act, and the Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act.
Clinton, Hagel, Menendez Introduce Measure to Remove Barriers to Reunification for Immigrant Families, May 23, 2007
Congressional Scorecard, 109th Congress
Iran
Senator Clinton has referred to Iran as a threat to the United States. She supports the continuation of U.S. sanctions against Iran, and has argued that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. Although Clinton is not in favor of military action to prevent such a scenario, she has said that no option can be taken off the table
“Iran must conform to its nonproliferation obligations and must not be permitted to build or acquire nuclear weapons. If Iran does not comply with its own commitments and the will of the international community, all options must remain on the table," said Clinton
In September 2007, Clinton voted for the Kyl-Lieberman amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill. This amendment defines the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a "terrorist organization" and accuses Iran of fighting a "proxy war" in Iraq. In October 2007, Clinton co-sponsored legislation introduced by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) prohibiting the use of funds for military operations against Iran without explicit congressional authorization.
"I vehemently disagree with the president that nothing's changed and therefore nothing in American policy has to change," said Clinton pertaining to the December NIE (National Intelligence Estimate) on Iran. "We do know that pressure on Iran does have an effect. I think that is an important lesson."
Essay, “Security & Opportunity for the 21st Century,” Foreign Affairs, November/December 2007
Senator Clinton Announces Co-Sponsorship of Webb Legislation, October 1, 2007
In Iowa debate, Democrats rip policy on Iran, Los Angeles Times, December 5, 2007
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