July 22, 2005

Rep. Pitts: PATRIOT Act is Key to Protecting the Homeland

Washington—Calling the bill critical to keeping the nation safe, Congressman Joe Pitts (R, PA-16) late last night voted in favor of H.R. 3199, the USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2005.  The bill reauthorizes the PATRIOT Act, passed originally in 2001, which was designed to foster a more effective domestic War on Terror.  Congressman Pitts issued the following statement on the legislation after it passed the House by a vote of 257-171.

“The PATRIOT Act gives the FBI, federal prosecutors, and others the authority to go after terrorists with the same tools they have used for decades to successfully fight organized crime and drug dealers.  The USA PATRIOT Act is a no-nonsense bill to fight an enemy intent on killing innocent people.  It protects America without eroding civil liberties.  It empowers anti-terror efforts without endangering the rights of law abiding citizens,” said Congressman Pitts.

The USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2005 reauthorizes the PATRIOT Act passed in 2001 which:

• Removed major legal barriers that prevented the law enforcement, intelligence, and national defense communities from coordinating their work;

• Allowed law enforcement to use surveillance against more terror-related activities and allowed the authorization of nationwide search warrants;

• Updated the law to reflect new technologies and new threats; and

• Increased penalties for those who commit terrorist crimes and those who harbor terrorists.

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