February 7, 2004 Letter to Senators Warner and Allen
and Representative Moran
and Representative Moran
PO Box 8208
Alexandria, VA 22306-8208
February 7, 2004
The Honorable John William Warner
United States Senate
225 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4601
The Honorable George F. Allen
United States Senate
204 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4604
The Honorable James P. Moran
U.S House of Representatives
2239 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4608
Dear Senators Warner and Allen and Representative Moran:
As your constituent, I urge you to co-sponsor and support the Security and Freedom Ensured (SAFE) Act of 2003 (S 1709/HR 3352). This legislation would defend true American values and help keep us safe and free.
I have read that the PATRIOT Act allows the widespread use of so-called “sneak and peek” search warrants in which government agents can break into a home and take information without notifying the home’s owner. I believe that these intrusive forms of searches should be used in rare situations, not as a standard practice. I understand that the SAFE Act would begin to fix this problem by limiting the use of sneak and peek searches to three specific purposes. It would also ensure that the targets of these “sneak and peek” searches were notified of their occurrence within seven days unless a court approves extensions.
I also do not believe that the government should be allowed to indiscriminately investigate personal records. I have read that the SAFE Act would amend the PATRIOT ACT to require “individualized suspicion” that the records being sought in intelligence investigations are related to someone who is acting for a foreign government or terrorist organization. It also prohibits the government from embarking on fishing expeditions where they examine a large number of people’s records without any reasonable suspicion in the hopes that they might find a potential terrorist.
Finally, I believe that the PATRIOT Act is an attack on fundamental American values and that it needs to be fixed. The Constitution and its Bill of Rights emphasize the need for checks and balances on government agents and limits to their power. I understand that the PATRIOT Act rolled back key judicial oversight and gave law enforcement significant new powers that go beyond the war on terrorism. The SAFE Act would be an important step in bringing the PATRIOT Act back in line with American values.
Once again, I strongly urge you to support the SAFE Act (S 1709/HR 3352), which would correct the PATRIOT Act’s most infamous provisions.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this very important matter.
Sincerely,
James Landrith