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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2009
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT: Adam Buckalew
PRINTABLE VERSION
CONGRESSMAN HARPER JOINS RANKING REPUBLICAN
IN REAUTHORIZATION OF U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Gregg Harper (R–Miss.) joined Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R–Texas) as a co-sponsor to reauthorize key national security provisions of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act set to expire in 2009.
“After our country was attacked on September 11, the PATRIOT Act was enacted to protect our citizens through extended national security,” said Congressman Gregg Harper. “By extending these necessary provisions, our country will provide the appropriate help to federal law enforcement and intelligence officials to address the ongoing terrorist threat.”
The provisions include granting the government access to any tangible items – including books, records and papers – no matter who holds it, in foreign intelligence, international terrorism and other terrorism investigations. Within the law, there are several protections against abuses of this provision, including Congressional oversight and a judicial review process.
Additionally, the provisions would extend “roving” wiretaps allowing investigators to use a single wiretap to cover any communications device a suspect uses. Without this authority, federal investigators would be required to seek a new court order each time the suspect relocates.
The “lone wolf” provision allows authorities to treat an individual terrorist with the same type of surveillance used to observe members of international terrorist organizations.
The Safe and Secure America Act of 2009 extends the three expiring provisions for 10 years
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A conservative man of faith and integrity, Gregg was elected in November, 2008 to serve the citizens of Mississippi’s Third Congressional District. Soon after the election, his peers elected him as the only freshman of the Republican Steering Committee in the House of Representatives. Gregg is the only Republican freshman appointed by Republican Minority Leader John Boehner to the Committee on House Administration and also sits on the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on the Budget. Gregg currently resides in Pearl with his wife of 29 years, Sidney, and their two children, Livingston and Maggie, where the Harpers are active members of Crossgates Baptist church.
