Here is what I got back from Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts:
Dear Erica,
Thank you for sharing your views with me regarding the USA PATRIOT Act. I appreciate hearing from you.
The USA PATRIOT Act, which was signed into law on October 26, 2001, provides important legal tools and resources to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to better protect our nation's security. This act amended the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), to make it a more effective tool in out efforts to prevent terrorism. In addition, the PATRIOT Act established the Treasury Couterterrorism Fund and authorized appropriations for the FBI's Technical Support Center. Importantly, the first title of the USA PATRIOT Act states that the civil rights and liberties of all Americans, including Arab Americans, must be protected, and that every effort must be taken to preserve their safety while fighting the war on terrorism.
I believe that we must provide the FBI and the Department of Justice with the tools neccessary to punish the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks and to prevent future attacks. I also remain committed to preserving the civil liberties of the people of Massachusetts and the rest of the nation. After much consideration, I voted in favor of the USA PATRIOT Act.
A number of provisions in the PATRIOT Act are set to expire in 2005. I realize there have been attempts to make these provisions permanent, but I am against these actions and believe that the sunsetting provisions should expire as mandated in the legislation. It is my hope that the provisions laid out by this act can be followed with the utmost respect to the American's civil liberties and rights. I will continue to work closely with the Congress and President to ensure the safety of both our country and our civil liberites.
Thank you for contacting me about this important issue. Please feel free to contact my office in the future concerning this or anything else that is of importance to you.
Sincerely,
John F. Kerry
United States Senator
Snail Mail: Senator John F. Kerry
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-2102
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.senate.gov/~kerry/
