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Contact: Kim Smith
202-225-6906
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Smith: PATRIOT Act Should Not be Weakened
Washington,
Oct 21, 2009 -
House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today issued the following statement in response to Democrats' PATRIOT Act reauthorization bill that weakens America's anti-terror laws:
""House Democrats' PATRIOT Act proposal is contrary to the President's requests and contrary to common sense. At a time when the Obama administration is preparing to release more than 200 suspected terrorists, House Democrats propose weakening our nation's anti-terrorism laws. That's like releasing a bank robber from prison and then requiring all banks to cut back on security. It leaves America more vulnerable to attacks.
“Last month, the FBI thwarted four terrorism plots against American citizens. Terrorists have not stopped trying to kill Americans, so why would we weaken the laws that help prevent attacks%3f
“The war on terror is not over. We must not use America's success in preventing another 9/11 as a green light to repeal our counter-terrorism laws. This legislation will return us to the days before 9/11 when our intelligence system was unequipped to prevent that horrific attack.""
Key provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act and Intelligence Reform Act are scheduled to expire at the end of 2009. The Obama administration, which called for a full reauthorization of the provisions, has been working closely with the Senate to draft and pass a bill.
Unfortunately, House Democrats appear more concerned with placating liberal interest groups than with helping our intelligence officials keep America safe.
The proposed legislation allows the ""lone wolf"" provision of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act to expire, makes unnecessary changes to roving wiretap and business record authorities, and weakens national security letter authority. The bill also makes changes to delayed-notice search warrants and amends the criminal and FISA pen register statutes. None of these changes help enhance our ability to prevent terrorists attacks.
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