Why did Republicans water down Clinton's anti-terrorism bills?

Question

THE 1996 ANTI-TERRORISM BILL FOR EXAMPLE?

BETTER YET. WHY DO THEY SIT HERE AND CRITICIZE CLINTON FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH WHEN 8 YEARS AGO THEY WERE CRITICIZING HIM FOR DOING TOO MUCH???
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REPUBLICANS ON THE CLINTON 1996 ANTI-TERRORISM BILL

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, emerged from the meeting and said, "These are very controversial provisions that the White House wants. Some they're not going to get." Hatch called Clinton's proposed study of taggants -- chemical markers in explosives that could help track terrorists -- "a phony issue."
- July 30, 1996
http://www.cnn.com/US/9607/30/clinton.terrorism/

The measure, which the Senate passed overwhelmingly Wednesday evening, is a watered-down version of the White House's proposal. The Clinton administration has been critical of the bill, calling it too weak.

"We have a measure that will give us a strong upper hand in the battle to prevent and punish domestic and international terrorism," Senate Majority Leader and presumptive GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole said Wednesday. But Sen. Don Nickles, R-Oklahoma, while praising the bill, said the country remains "very open" to terrorism. "Will it stop any acts of terrorism, domestic and international? No," he said, adding, "We don't want a police state."
- April 18, 1996
http://www.cnn.com/US/9604/18/anti.terror.bill/index.html

Answer 1

Don't you remember? Everytime Clinton tried to do anything about terrorism he was wagging the dog and trying to distract Americans from the oh so important Monica Lewinski issue.
Why don't Republicans give Clinton credit for bringing the perps of the first WTC bombing to justice? Is it because Bush has still failed to catch Osama bin Laden or convict any one involved in 911?
Republicans like to point out how many Americans were killed overseas by terrorists during the Clinton administration as if that weren't a drop in the bucket compared to those killed in Iraq.

Answer 2

This is because republicans are...well...republicans. They are known for getting us into needless wars and everything is left for the democrats to clean up. We have more terrorists now than we did when Clinton was in the White House. The republicans stole the election, started a costly war, created a new breed of terrorists, and are running up our national debt but the democrats get the blame......ridiculous.

Answer 3

Clinton did not release the information about Osama Bin Laden to the congress, after 9/11 when he realized what a big mistake he had made, he had Sandy Burger steal the paperwork on OBL (by sticking then down his pants) out of the National archives,


Sandy Burger has lost his law license (no jail time) although Sandy Burger admitted his part,,, but to former President Clinton has not been charged or even questioned,

Answer 4

Having a paper bill and enforcing it are two different things. Actions speak louder than words. He sent a wrong message to terrorists that the US president was not willing to accept any military casualties to fight them.

Answer 5

Because he was a dem And standing tall for America and national security don’t matter as much to them unless,,it is a mad cowboy who is preaching those ideas to them.

Answer 6

"Why did Republicans water down Clinton's anti-terrorism bills?"

Clearing a path for their Saudi friends

to create the event that would give them (the Bushites) the totalitarian powers they so desperately desire