Senator Patrick Leahy, the (presumptive) incoming chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is promising reforms that will increase privacy and reform patents.
Among key privacy reforms, he is seeking tighter supervision of government databanks, action on data leaks and identity theft, and (the shock!) warrants as a prerequisite to surveillance of Americans.
Patent reform is long overdue, and there should be bipartisan support for his efforts. He and Republican Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah co-sponsored a bill this year that, among other things, would make it cheaper and easier to challenge bunk patents. It’s similar to a bill sponsored by Republican Lamar Smith in the House.
Of course, the Senate has a bigger concern right now: Senator Tim Johnson getting better. Our hearts go out to Senator Johnson and his family.