[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 29, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E542-E543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            OVERREACHING ACTIONS OF FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

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                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 29, 2011

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, while being later to the effort 
than my good friend Congressman Ron Paul, many of you know that I have 
long expressed concerns about the sometimes overreaching actions of 
federal law enforcement, especially as they interact with American 
citizens.
  Most law enforcement officials in this country are highly ethical 
with a strong desire to serve the effort to keep our country and our 
communities safe. Unfortunately, as in any profession, there are some 
people who do not uphold those standards.
  Those concerns are a principal reason why the Bill of Rights was 
passed. Those concerns should also hold a primary place in our thinking 
as we vote on legislation.
  This issue came closer to home for me as two constituents, one a U.S. 
citizen, were arrested by federal law enforcement officials this month, 
accused of violating a law that doesn't exist. My office attempted to 
get information about their arrest. We were denied information about 
which agency had arrested them, where they were being held, and the 
charges against them.
  All of the charges against them were dropped just eight days later 
after a federal judge reviewed the evidence and determined that no 
crime had been committed. The cost to my constituents was in the tens 
of thousands of dollars. They are still being threatened with the 
forfeiture of property.

[[Page E543]]

  Now compare the plight of this American citizen with millions of 
people who have crossed into this country illegally. They proudly 
attend rallies and speak on television, openly proclaiming that they 
are in this country in defiance of our laws. Many do not pay taxes 
while many others are receiving monetary benefits from the government.
  It is reprehensible that our federal law enforcement would falsely 
and recklessly arrest one of our own citizens who owns a small 
business, pays taxes, and employs other Americans, while allowing 
lawbreakers from other countries to openly flaunt their violation of 
our laws. American citizens are not being served when the priorities of 
the federal government are so twisted.

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