Taxpayers Call for Abolishment of Secret Evidence Law

Washington– On Thursday, February 10, 2000 Congress will hold a hearing on the abolition of the secret evidence law.

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, issued the following statement on the abolition of the secret evidence law:

"Today Congress will hold hearings on the subject of the abolition of the secret evidence law. Americans for Tax Reform supports the efforts of Congressmen Bonior and Campbell to abolish the secret evidence law. The law is a threat to the civil liberties of law abiding citizens.

"The abolishment of this law would set a precedent which prevents the government from using laws to persecute taxpayers.

"The reality is that the use of secret evidence is antithetical to the premises of our judicial system. It is never appropriate for the government to use the secret evidence law. If allowed to continue, the secret evidence law will eventually be extended to taxpayers. The secret evidence law needs to end now.

"ATR supports the effort by Congress to highlight the encroachment on individual liberties posed by the secret evidence law."