WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley today said that an amendment that protects the civil liberties of Americans was included in the Omnibus appropriations bill that passed both the Senate and House late last night.

"Protecting American's civil liberties while at the same time winning the war against terrorism has got to be the top priority for the United States. Congressional oversight of this program will be a must as we proceed in the war against terror," Grassley said. "The acceptance of this amendment sends a signal that Congress won't sit on its hands as the TIA program moves forward."

Grassley first made inquiries to the Defense Department Inspector General in November 2002 about the Total Information Awareness program. Grassley has expressed concern that TIA personnel had contacted agencies at the Justice Department to work on possible experimentation with TIA technology in the future.

Grassley's inquiries have led the Pentagon's Inspector General to begin an audit of the program. The audit will assess whether the proper safeguards are at work to protect privacy and civil liberties.

"We need to strike a balance between targeting terrorists with everything we've got and also protecting the rights and freedoms cherished by Americans," Grassley said. "Military dollars shouldn't be spent on domestic law enforcement."

Grassley has also written U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft asking him to shed light on the involvement between the Justice Department and the Total Information Awareness program. Grassley has asked for a complete accounting of the Justice Department and FBI's actions regarding TIA as well as a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the TIA program and the Justice Department.