Kinzinger Statement on the Patriot Act

Statement

As a military officer, I have seen the Patriot Act provide invaluable legal tools to detect, disrupt, and prevent potential terrorist plots. These legal tools have been available to investigators of organized crime and drug traffickers for years; surely they should be available for use against terrorists. We must have the authority to defend our nation from future attacks, while ensuring American's fundamental rights are protected under the Fourth Amendment.

The Patriot Act has played an important role in disrupting potential attacks and keeping our country safe since 9/11. Therefore, it should remain largely intact. Because the new Congress was forced to act quickly to ensure safeguards remained intact against potential terrorist attacks on U.S. soil before the expiration of the Patriot Act, I supported its short term reauthorization.

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