In a decisive vote Tuesday night, the Senate approved the Homeland Security Department. Both Iowa senators, Republican Chuck Grassley and Democrat Tom Harkin, voted for the department, which is the largest government reorganization since World War II.

President Bush, who is expected to sign the legislation early next week after the House approves technical changes to the bill, said he looked “forward to signing this important legislation,” according to CNN.

He’s right — it is important to protect American soil from foreign terrorists, but not to the point at which citizens’ civil liberties are compromised.

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., was one of nine who voted against the measure. He said the bill came “at the expense of unnecessarily undermining our privacy rights” and “weakening protections against unwarranted government intrusion into the lives of ordinary Americans.”

The new department combines 22 existing agencies, including the Coast Guard, Customs Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Border Patrol, Secret Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration.

Along with its creation, the bill allows — but does not require — airline pilots to carry firearms and also limits legal liability for companies that produce vaccines, provide airport security and develop anti-terrorism technologies, according to The Washington Post.

Because of all the extensive changes and modifications, it will take years for the department to be perfected. This works for Bush, who will probably include this as one of his platforms in 2004.

It will also give Bush unprecedented power to hire, fire and reassign workers and exceptions to public disclosure pertaining to the department.

But when is enough enough?

Because our government and our president believe it is necessary and acceptable to put our civil liberties on the back burner, what will happen next? Will the Bill of Rights be taken away in the name of national security?

And who will be responsible if, for instance, an airline pilot becomes agitated enough to use his or her firearm and actually shoots? And then misses? Will the government point fingers at the agitator or the pilot?

No one knows.

Because of this vote, the United States is heading into uncharted territory. We’ve never been in this situation.

Bush and supporters of a Homeland Security Department may or may not be the people to lead us during the next few uncertain years. Let’s hope that we do finally draw the line against any more infringement on our constitutionally protected rights before this country isn’t so democratic anymore.

Editorial Board:Cavan Reagan, Amber Billings, Ayrel Clark, Charlie Weaver, Rachel Faber Machacha.