Tracking Terrorists Easier

Tracking Terrorists Easier

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) tonight to further protect Americans by making it easier to track terrorists by voting in favor of H.R. 5825, the Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act.

The bill is essential legislation which will protect the Homeland from future terrorist attacks by bringing the law up-to-date with technology.

"We have been trying to fight terrorists with a nearly 30-year-old surveillance law," Boozman said. "It is truly unconscionable we have not given our law enforcement and homeland security officials to proper tools to do their jobs."

H.R. 5825 updates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for the Internet/cell phone era to make it technology neutral. It also removes excessive bureaucracy and streamlines the process of applying for a FISA warrant.

"In a day in age where I can go a store and pay cash for an anonymous cell phone, it is imperative we have the tools to combat 21st Century threats," Boozman continued.

The act establishes specific rules to govern foreign intelligence surveillance in the wake of an attack on the United States to allow the government to respond swiftly to terrorist threats. It also outlines specific rules in the event of an imminent threat against the United States. Finally, the act increases congressional oversight to ensure that Americans' civil liberties are protected.

"While we've given officials this new power to track terrorists, we've also increased congressional oversight, and installed other safeguards to ensure that our civil liberties, which make us a target in the eyes of terrorists, are protected," Boozman added. "This is a vital piece of legislation that will help our intelligence personnel protect our nation from future attacks."

http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=51088