PHIL GRAMM
TEX AS




United ~States ~Senate
WASHINGTON DC 20510


January 3, 2001




Mr. Martin Thompson, Sr.
p.o. Box 2251
Kerrville, Texas 78028

Dear Mr. Thompson:

Thank you for contacting me about legislation to improve the ability of the United States Marshals Service to apprehend fugitives. I appreciate having the benefit of your views on this matter.

As you may know, the Fugitive Apprehension Act (S. 2516) was introduced by Senator Strom Thurmond in May of 2000 to improve coordination between the U.S. Marshals Service and state and local law enforcement for the purpose of apprehending violent fugitives. This legislation passed the Senate in July of 2000 and was referred to the House Judiciary Committee for further consideration. In October, during House consideration of the Presidential Threat Protection Act (H.R. 3048), language similar to that of 5. 2516 was included as an amendment. H.R. 3048 was subsequently approved by the House and the Senate, and was signed into law (P.m. 106-544) on December 19.

Contrary to some reports, no provisions within S. 2516 or H.R. 3048 would have allowed for warrantless searches of private property. Moreover, you may be interested to know that there are no provisions concerning warrants contained in the version of the legislation that became law. I am wholeheartedly committed to preserving the cherished Constitutional protections upon which our legal system is built, arid I will not support any legislation that alters the 4th Amendment's requirements for obtaining a search warrant. You may be certain that I will continue to work for legislation that would strengthen -- not weaken -- our criminal justice system.

I appreciate having the opportunity to represent you in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Yours respectfully





PHIL GRAMM
United States Senator

martin p thompson