House Renews PATRIOT Act

House Renews PATRIOT Act

Diaz-Balart: PATRIOT Act Key Tool in Thwarting Terrorist Threats

WASHINGTON—The House passed the USA Congressman PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act today. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), who voted for the bill, called the PATRIOT Act a key tool in the War on Terror and that this reauthorization will help provide law enforcement personnel the means to continue keeping the nation safe from terrorist threats.

"The threat of another terrorist attack is real," Diaz-Balart said. "While we must continue to engage terrorists overseas, we also must continue to be vigilant and aggressive here at home.

"For over the past four years, the PATRIOT Act has been a key tool for law enforcement personnel in protecting our neighborhoods from terrorist threats," Diaz-Balart continued. "This reauthorization addresses concerns about civil liberties while still ensuring that law enforcement will continue to have the tools they need to thwart terrorist activities.

"No one wants another 9/11, so it is vital that we have the tools necessary to keep our country safe."

The USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act extends key provisions of the PATRIOT Act, which did the following:

* Removed major legal barriers which prevented the law enforcement, intelligence, and national defense communities from coordinating their work;

* Allowed law enforcement to conduct surveillance of more terror-related activities and allowed the authorization of nationwide search warrants;

* Updated the law to reflect new technologies and new threats; and

* Increased penalties for those who commit acts of terrorism and those who harbor terrorists.

http://www.house.gov/mariodiaz-balart/news/2006news/030706_patriotact.htm