The Patriot Act

The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, commonly known as the USA PATRIOT Act or simply the Patriot Act, is an American law which was signed into law by President George W. Bush 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.

Originally passed after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Act 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 terrorist acts 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

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.

Among the laws the USA PATRIOT Act amended are immigration laws and banking and money laundering laws. It also amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

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