Tony Thurmond: “I served as a conferee representing the Senate, and I am pleased that the House and Senate conferees have resolved the…”

“I served as a conferee representing the Senate, and I am pleased that the House and Senate conferees have resolved the differences between our respective bills to combat terrorism. We must send a clear message to those who engage in this heinous conduct that the American people will not tolerate cowardly acts of terrorism, in any fashion--whether their source is international or domestic. It is important that the Congress work closely with Federal law enforcement to provide the necessary tools and authority to prevent terrorism. Yet, I am mindful that an appropriate balance between individual rights guaranteed in the Constitution and the needs of law enforcement must be achieved as we meet our responsibility. The American people appropriately look to their government to maintain a peaceable society but do not want law enforcement to stray into the private lives of law-abiding citizens. The balance is to provide reasonable authority to law enforcement to investigate and prevent terrorism while respecting the rights of the American people to form groups, gather and engage in dialog even when that dialog involves harsh antigovernment rhetoric. Mr. President, it is my belief that this conference report will enhance law enforcement capabilities to combat terrorism while respecting our cherished rights under the Constitution.”