U.S. Senator Russ Feingold questioned Attorney General nominee Eric Holder about FISA during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on 15 January 2009. Holder supported renewing the part of the Patriot Act that allows for the FBI to seek records from businesses, libraries and bookstores as the policing agency investigates suspects in this country.
Senator Orrin Hatch questioned Holder in regards to the Presidential powers as a consequence of his inherent authority. Presidential powers are superior and this allows him more power over the regulation of guns.