Two more lawmakers have written to President Obama about reinstituting the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, reports the Washington Times. Last week, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) urged the president "to appoint individuals to the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board immediately." The board was created in 2004 based on the recommendation of the September 11 commission, but has since languished. In their letter, the representatives assert that the "need for the oversight panel is particularly urgent given the recent events of December 25, 2009, and the...potential expansion of watch lists and widespread use of body-scanning technology..." Ben Rhodes, a national security spokesman, said the White House "looks forward to appointing [the board's] leadership soon."
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