Senator
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

RE: Protect our freedoms by supporting the SAFE Act

Dear Senator ,

As an American concerned with the preservation of our most vital Constitutional freedoms, I strongly urge you to co-sponsor and actively support the Security and Freedom Ensured (SAFE) Act. This bipartisan legislation would defend true American values and help keep us safe and free

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. These very intrusive forms of searches should be used in rare situations, not as a standard practice. The SAFE Act would limit the use of “sneak and peek” searches for three specific purposes. It would also ensure that the targets of these "sneak and peek" searches were notified of their occurrence within 21 days unless a court approves extensions.

The SAFE Act would stop the Patriot Act’s infringement on free speech. The Patriot Act created a new and overly expansive definition of “domestic terrorism” that could apply to certain protesters, including abortion demonstrators or anti-war protesters. The government should not be able to label protesters as “terrorists” without proper justification. The SAFE Act would link this power to specific terrorism crimes to reduce that risk.

In 2003, for the first time in history, the American government used more secret intelligence wiretaps—which come with fewer checks against abuse—than criminal wiretaps. To combat this trend toward secret eavesdropping and spying, the SAFE Act would include new reporting requirements. This is critical to ensuring that the government does not abuse its counter-terrorism powers.

Also, the government should not be allowed to indiscriminately investigate personal records. The SAFE Act would amend the Patriot Act to include procedural protections and the ability for recipients to challenge secret intelligence court orders that allow law enforcement to seize library, medical and business records, and any other “tangible thing.”

The Patriot Act is an attack on fundamental American values and urgently 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. The Patriot Act rolled back key judicial oversight and gave law enforcement significant new powers that go far beyond those needed for the war on terrorism. The SAFE Act is a vital step in bringing the Patriot Act back in line with American values.

Please take a stand for the most cherished American values by co-sponsoring the SAFE Act and doing everything in your power to ensure its passage.

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