Rep. Gowdy's First Bill Passes The House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            

DATE:  September 12, 2011

CONTACT: Josh Dix

PHONE:  202-225-6030

Rep. Gowdy's First Bill Passes The House

Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act Passes the U.S. House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Trey Gowdy (SC-04) released the following statement after the US House of Representatives, with overwhelming bi-partisan support, passed his first piece of legislation.  H.R. 2076, the Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2011, allows the FBI to provide assistance to local authorities in certain violent crime investigations.

“The FBI, in reviewing their investigative assistance to state and local authorities, realized the absence of a federal statute directly providing jurisdiction to the FBI to respond to such requests.  This bill grants that specific statutory authority.

“Local law enforcement has many reasons to request FBI assistance:  access to federal crime labs, access to criminal profilers, track and trace capabilities and Title III surveillance authority, to name a few.  H.R. 2076 ensures the FBI has the statutory authority to provide this assistance while maintaining the requirement that the request be made by state or local authorities.

“It also shows that law enforcement and public safety issues can transcend partisanship and that common sense legislation can pass the House. I hope this tool helps our brave law enforcement officers as they continue to put others' safety ahead of their own and protect this great land.”

Representative Gowdy, along with Rep. Scott and Wilson, has H.R. 2587 Protecting Jobs From Government Interference Act coming to the House floor later this week for a vote.