Senate votes to reauthorize law enforcement agencies

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Thursday praised passage of the Justice Department authorization conference report, saying the threat of terrorism makes "constructive oversight" of the Justice Department, FBI and other law enforcement agencies "more important than ever."

Judiciary ranking member Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, also applauded the 93-5 vote, saying the measure "will strengthen the Justice Department and our judicial system as we face the new challenges of the 21st Century."

Leahy commended House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., for the "hard work that went into producing the first revised charter for the Justice Department in more than two decades."

The House passed the measure in September.