Title: Constitutional Rights Foundation
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BRIA 19 4 a The Patriot Act: What Is the Proper Balance Between National Security and Individual Rig
The Patriot Act and Privacy
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Articles
BRIA 19 4 a The Patriot Act: What Is the Proper Balance Between National Security and Individual Rig
Soon after September 11, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft brought before Congress a list of recommended changes in the law to combat terrorism. Some of these measures had long been opposed by members of Congress as infringing on the rights of Americans. But September 11 had swept away all previous objections. The U.S. Senate quickly passed the USA PATRIOT ACT (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism). Only one senator, Russell Feingold (D-Wis.), voted against it. The next day, the House of Representatives passed the bill 357-66. The final bill was 342 pages long and changed more than 15 existing laws. Most of the Justice Department's recommendations were incorporated into it, but several provisions will expire in 2005.