Federal wiretap laws must be modernized to keep up with new technology. Law enforcement officials need to be able to monitor a criminal suspect's electronic communication, but privacy protections must be in place for honest, law abiding citizens.

Unfortunately, the laws that define what can and cannot be monitored were passed over 30 years ago - long before the Internet or e-mail were part of everyday life. Current law gives e-mail less protection from government monitoring than a phone call or letter, despite the fact that e-mail closely resembles traditional postal mail and often contains information every bit as private as a telephone call.

I have cosponsored H.R. 4987, the Digital Privacy Act, and H.R. 5018, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, to help move our federal wiretap laws into the 21st century. These bills would protect individual liberties by shielding e-mails and making sure that law enforcement officials meet more strict requirements before accessing or intercepting a suspect?s electronic communications.

In the tradition of our founding fathers, Congress should continue to guarantee the liberties of the American people and protect privacy in the information age. I will keep advocating the protection of individual liberties and support legislation that encourages further technological development.