Press Release

Last week, the U.S. House majority took action that threatens our national security by
voting to dramatically weaken our terrorist surveillance law. Protecting American
citizens from terrorist threats should be the top priority for Congress, but the U.S. House
abandoned its most solemn duty.
I am running for Congress because the voters of Kentucky's second district deserve to
continue to have representation in Washington that fights for Kentucky values. My belief
is that most Kentuckians want a Congress that takes decisive action against terrorists -
the out-of-touch U.S. House majority has failed in that regard.
After graduating from West Point I served as an artillery officer in the 101st Airborne
Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. While I no longer wear the uniform, I retain my
strong sensed of duty to help keep our nation secure. If I am fortunate enough to earn
your vote this November, I promise to support tougher anti-terrorism laws.
These terrorists were at war with us long before we were at war with them. We must
recognize the threat they pose and do all we can to defeat terrorism around the globe.
Unfortunately, the House majority, acting far outside the mainstream views of most
Americans and in direct contrast to the U.S. Senate, did just the opposite.
After failing to reauthorize and modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
(FISA) before its expiration, Speaker Nancy Pelosi forced through a partisan bill that
creates a cumbersome court approval process making it harder to collect intelligence on
foreign terrorists. Unbelievably, their bill extends Constitutional protections you and I
enjoy as American citizens to foreign terrorists who seek the destruction of our country!
Let's get real -- foreign terrorists plotting to kill Americans are not entitled to protections
under our Constitution. It is absurd to think otherwise.
Another key failing of this bill deals with companies that help our government track
terrorists. After 9-11, many telecommunications companies answered the call and used
their data to track terrorists who were plotting more attacks. During a critical time, these
companies acted to keep us safe.
The U.S. Senate, working with the White House, passed a bipartisan bill to protect those
companies from endless litigation so they will continue to aid the government in terrorist
surveillance without the threat of being hauled into court every time they do. This is
perfectly reasonable and responsible but the U.S. House leadership forced through a bill
that does not protect these companies from frivolous lawsuits, ensuring they will stop
helping the government. I believe citizens and companies doing their patriotic duty
should be praised, not sued.
Admiral Mike McConnell, the Director of National Intelligence, told House leaders in a
letter that the lapse of our terrorist surveillance law means the U.S. "is now more
vulnerable to terrorist attack and other foreign threats." Instead of protecting American
citizens, House leaders apparently prefer to pay back liberal political contributors.
To best protect America the House should pass the bipartisan Senate bill, which would
quickly be signed in to law by the President. Instead, they chose a very dangerous
course. I will make our feelings known in Washington, loud and clear.
This week, U.S. House leaders revealed an agenda for the future that is far outside the
mainstream. In addition to voting for frivolous litigation over the safety and security of
our Nation, they also signaled their intention to substantially increase taxes, a position
that I cannot support. Especially during a time of economic slowdown, we cannot further
hinder our economy by raising taxes on Kentucky families already struggling with a
mortgage, high gas prices, and rising food costs at the grocery store.
I will campaign tirelessly on two key themes - Economic Security and National Security.
I will fight to cut taxes and to strengthen terrorist surveillance laws, just as my friend
Congressman Ron Lewis has done since 1994. He has decided to retire, and I am
determined that Kentucky's second district should continue to have a Congressman that
represents your values. You will get exactly that sort of representation from me if I am
fortunate enough to earn your vote this November.
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State Senator Brett Guthrie is the Republican candidate for Congress to replace Rep. Ron
Lewis (R, KY-02), who is retiring at the end of this year.
Senator Guthrie represents Warren and Logan Counties in the Kentucky Senate, and is
Vice-President of Trace Die Cast in Bowling Green.
A high resolution photo and press kit of Senator Guthrie can be found at
http://www.guthrieforcongress.com/about.htm.