Includes Civil Liberties Protections, Cracks Down on Methamphetamine Epidemic

Washington, Dec 14, 2005 -

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman John Carter (TX-31) today voted in favor of a the conference report on a bill that would make permanent a number of policies that have been critical to keeping our homeland secure, H.R. 3199, the USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2005. The bill also includes language to ensure the protection of Americans’ civil liberties as well as addressing the growing problem presented by methamphetamine.

“I am pleased to have joined my colleagues in passing legislation that will help protect our country from future terrorist attacks,” Congressman Carter said. “The PATRIOT Act is invaluable to assisting in the detection, disruption, and dismantling of terrorist cells before they strike. It also finally equips the FBI, federal prosecutors, and other authorities with the same tools to fight terrorists as they have used for decades to successfully fight organized crime and drug dealers.”

Congressman Carter added, “It is clear that our country is in the midst of a methamphetamine epidemic. This bill includes harsh penalties for meth producers, traffickers, and smugglers; and works to reduce the supply of this deadly drug.”

Specifically, this bill extends and makes permanent the following provisions from the PATRIOT Act of 2001, which did the following:

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

·        Allowed law enforcement to conduct surveillance of 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 acts of terrorism and those who harbor terrorists.

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 3199 by a vote of 251 - 174. The Conference Report now awaits action by the Senate.