"Now to me, the idea that we are supposed to extend the Bill of Rights to a bunch of noncitizens overseas, let alone terrorists, wasn't only dangerous, but the height of stupidity," said McConnell, R-Ky.

He said the updated law takes into account new telecommunication technologies. As a result, "we are safer" for it, McConnell said.

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The Senate minority leader, who spoke before an estimated 6,000 from 45 states and four foreign countries, stressed the need to support local law enforcement as the "first line of prevention" against terrorism.

"The only way we will detect and smash terror cells is by working across city, state and federal lines to pick up and act on tips that we receive," McConnell said.

He also expressed support for President Bush's war policies in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The war that we are fighting against terrorism is real and we will not have a shot at winning unless we have a strong defense," McConnell said. "But we have got to have a potent offense as well. And I guarantee you that because we have gone on offense in places like Afghanistan and Iraq that we haven't been hit again at home" since Sept. 11, 2001.