Here is what I got back from Representative Stephen F. Lynch of Massachusetts:
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-2109
August 8, 2003
Dear Erica,
Thank you for contacting my office regarding the USA PATRIOT Act and its impact on civil liberties. I appreciate you taking the time to share your views on this issue.
It is my understanding that Attorney General John Ashcroft announced in June 2002 a series of new guidelines governing FBI conduct in terrorism investigations, in part to exercise new authority granted to the FBI under the USA PATRIOT Act. The Attorney General maintains that the FBI will not investigate religious and political organizations without evidence of criminal activity and that no groups will be singled out for special scrutiny.
I believe that the FBI must proactively review all lawful sources of information to identify terrorist threats and to preempt attacks on our citizens. However, I also feel that we must remember that our nation prides itself on personal freedom and that civil liberties are the very currency of our daily lives.
Therefore, as we reevaluate our government's intelligence gathering abilities during this critical time, I believe Congress must work together with the FBI to review the adequacy and necessity of these new guidelines as well as any future proposals. Any legislation that expands the power of our law enforcement officers should be examined in terms of its implications on our civil liberties as well as its likely effectiveness in improving our counter-terrorism efforts.
Once again, thank you for contacting me on this issue. If I can provide you with any further information, please so not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
STEPHEN F. LYNCH
Member of Congress
Snail mail: Representative Stephen F. Lynch
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-2109
Email: [email protected]
