Istook Backs Reauthorization of Patriot Act
Istook Backs Reauthorization of Patriot Act
Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Warr Acres) joined fellow lawmakers supporting the War on Terror by voting to reauthorize the Patriot Act by a vote of 251 to 174. The Patriot Act was enacted following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
The Patriot Act has provided law enforcement the necessary tools to identify and track terrorists before they can initiate a strike on the American public. The information sharing provision of the act allowed FBI investigators to track down and dismantle known terrorist cells including the "Virginia Jihad," which trained in Northern Virginia and Afghanistan.
"The Patriot Act has been a proven, effective tool in the War on Terror," said Rep. Istook. "I support its reauthorization because it works."
New provisions in the Patriot Act provide for measures designed to target terrorism financing and implement stiffer penalties for interfering with the operation of an aircraft. It also addresses the terrorist threat at America's seaports, railroad carriers and mass transportation systems.
The legislation makes permanent 14 of the 16 original provisions set to expire later this month. Some of these provisions permit the use of court-supervised wiretaps to track suspected terrorists and the authorization to share that information between law enforcement communities. The remaining two sections were given a four-year sunset extension.
"The Patriot Act has been the most scrutinized and examined law in recent history," continued Rep. Istook. "Congress has done a good job of not only crafting a law that empowers our intelligence and law enforcement communities to more effectively battle terrorism but also has monitored the Patriot Act to make sure it doesn't infringe on our civil liberties."
The House Judiciary Committee has conducted 12 oversight hearings regarding the Patriot Act including testimony from 35 witnesses. The newly reauthorized act includes more than 25 additional safeguards involving reporting and judicial review requirements.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ok05_istook/PatriotAct.html