Senate duties

To the editor:

The Constitution of the United States has in it several very important provisions. These include the right for citizens to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure and the ability for the three branches of government to provide checks and balances for each other.

President Bush has admitted to engaging in covert surveillance of American citizens, in apparent disregard of existing laws intended to protect us from an overreaching government. It is time for the U.S. Congress to exercise its oversight responsibilities to determine whether the surveillance activities are legal or not.

Both Kansas senators, Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback, are in positions of importance and need to exercise their oversight responsibilities in their committees. Sen. Roberts, as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is especially critical in the scheduling and conduct of hearings. His unwillingness to exercise his responsibility is troubling. Sen. Brownback, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, needs to be proactive in investigating these surveillance activities.

Nils Gore,

Lawrence