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USA Patriot Act of 2001
The Uniting and Strengthening of America by Providing
Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001
(Public Law 107-56), known as USA PATRIOT Act The USA Patriot Act, is an
American act which President George W Bush signed into law on October 26, 2001.
The Act passed in the Senate by a vote of 98 to 1, and in the House by a vote of
357 to 66.
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President George W.
Bush signs the Patriot Act, Anti-Terrorism Legislation, in the
East Room Oct. 26, 2001. "With my signature, this law will give
intelligence and law enforcement officials important new tools
to fight a present danger," said the President in his remarks.
White House photo by Eric Draper. |
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Although the bill
enjoyed widespread Congressional and Presidential support it is a very
controversial federal legislation.
Originally passed after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the
Act (full text) was formed in response to the terrorist attacks against the
United States, and dramatically expanded the authority of American law
enforcement for the stated purpose of fighting terrorism in the United States
and abroad. It has also been used to detect and prosecute other alleged
potential crimes, such as providing false information on terrorism. Federal
courts declared some sections unconstitutional because they interfere with civil
liberties. It was renewed on March 2, 2006 with a vote of 89 to 11 in the Senate
and on March 7 280 to 138 in the House.
The renewal was signed into law by
President Bush on March 9, 2006 |
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