Amber Alert would be enhanced under legislation introduced Tues. ...

introduced at end of last session that would have provided funding to expand Amber Alert. Identity theft and child pornography also are targeted in legislation. Bill is designed to protect against misuse of Social Security numbers and mitigate harm to individuals victimized by ID theft. It also would provide new prosecutorial and investigative tools for federal, state and local authorities in stopping child pornography. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children would receive additional funding. Democratic leadership also introduced proposed Equal Rights & Equal Dignity for Americans Act (S-16), which would renew privacy consent requirements instituted during Clinton Administration and put limits on how medical information could be used in marketing. Bill also would prevent military or civilian employees of Defense Dept. from gathering information on U.S. citizens while in the U.S. Another bill, proposed Comprehensive Homeland Security Act (S-6), addresses several aspects of security, but doesn’t specifically mention cybersecurity or telecom infrastructure. Senate Minority Leader Daschle (D-S.D.) announced formation of leadership executive committee that included Sens. Carper (D-Del.), Murray (D-Wash.), Nelson (D-Neb.) and Schumer (D-N.Y.). Sen. Clinton (D-N.Y.) was named chmn. of Democratic Steering & Coordination Committee.