OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

America Takes Steps Toward Security

Date: July 22, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security Criminal Justice


America Takes Steps Toward Security
July 22, 2005

Congressman McCaul Supports Anti-Terror Legislation

(Washington D.C.)- Congressman Michael McCaul stood with 256 of his fellow members of the United States House of Representatives to pass the USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3199). In doing so, Congress took a major step in helping protect Americans from terrorism, while respecting their constitutional rights.

"This legislation has played a key role in a number of successful operations to protect Americans from terrorists since 9/11," stated Congressman Michael McCaul. He went on to say, "The USA Patriot Act is essential to stopping terrorism before it starts, rather than just prosecuting those responsible after a tragedy."

The USA Patriot Act removed major legal barriers that prevented U.S. law enforcement, intelligence, and defense communities from talking and coordinating their national security priorities. Now FBI Agents, federal prosecutors, and intelligence officials can protect our communities by "connecting the dots" to uncover terrorist plots before they are completed.

The act allows federal agents to use the same tools to fight terror that have been used for decades to battle organized crime and drug dealers. Most importantly, the Patriot Act has been reviewed and approved by the courts.

Specifically, the USA Patriot Act:

* Allows law enforcement to conduct surveillance against more crimes of terror, such as the use of chemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction,

* Allows Federal agents to follow sophisticated terrorists trained to evade detection,

* Allows law enforcement to conduct investigations without tipping off terrorists,

* Allows Federal agents to ask a court for an order to obtain business records in national security terrorism cases.

"Having used the Patriot Act in my former job as a federal prosecutor, I know it works to protect Americans from terror. Law enforcement needs every tool available to help keep us safe. The Patriot Act gives them those tools," stated Congressman Michael McCaul.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/tx10_mccaul/7_22_patriot.html

arrow_upward