Just six weeks after the september 11 attacks, a panicked congress passed the usapatriot act, an overnight revision of the nations surveillance laws that vastly expanded the governments authority to spy on its own citizens, while simultaneously reducing checks and balances on those powers like judicial oversight, public accountability, and. The patriot act allows law enforcement access to information that could. The usa patriot act was planned before 911, jennifer van. Is this legislature a blatant infringement on our rights as american citizens. Section 214 of title ii of the act prohibits the use of pen registers and trap and trace equipment in investigations that are based solely on. Summary of usa patriot act section by section analysis. But critics say that because the act mandates secrecy about many of. Bush signed this bill into law on october 26, 2001, the patriot act has been ardently defended by its supporters in the intelligence community and harshly criticized by members of congress, the tech industry, and privacy advocates like us. A reference handbook is an indepth examination of the difficult wartime task of balancing civil liberties against national security. The book focuses on the aspects that have made the patriot act pa a topic of great concern, especially since the patriot act has lost much of its power due to judicial intervention. Usa patriot act title iii international money laundering. Understanding the patriot act friends committee on. Brimhall library, newbury park library, and all book drops are closed. Born in saigon, south vietnam, he was the chief architect of the usa patriot act.
The patriot act turns 15 today, but thats nothing to celebrate. Uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism usa patriot act act of 2001. May 22, 2015 rand pauls timely takedown of the patriot act. Jim sensenbrenner is the author of the patriot act and an opponent of how it has been used to justify broad domestic spying powers. Usa patriot act the controversial antidomestic terrorism bill. Features the usa patriot act and patron privacy on. A legal analysis introduction congress passed the usa patriot act the act in response to the terrorists attacks of september 11, 2001. Jun 01, 2008 usa patriot act the controversial antidomestic terrorism bill. A reference handbook is an indepth examination of the difficult wartime task of balancing civil liberties against national security within weeks of the september 11 terrorist attacks, overwhelming majorities in both houses of congress passed the usa patriot act. Remember when the patriot act debate was all about library records.
The first version of the patriot act was introduced into the house on october 2, 2001 as the provide appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism patriot act of 2001, and was later passed by the house as the uniting and strengthening america usa act h. How patriotic is the patriot act freedom versus security. Oct 26, 2016 the patriot act turns 15 today, but thats nothing to celebrate. May, 2015 within this past year alone, there have been hundreds of instances of russian bomber planes, submarines, fighter jets, and warships crossing into foreign territory without permission. The patriot act updated the law to reflect new technologies and new threats. In a detailed look at bills such as the 1996 antiterrorism and effective death penalty act.
Its goals are to strengthen domestic security and broaden the powers of lawenforcement agencies with regards to identifying and stopping terrorists. Title v the most important part of title v is the use of national security letters nsl. Debunking the patriot act as it turns 15 electronic. Discover librarianselected research resources on usa patriot act from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines. Apr 20, 2015 the patriot act was introduced with great haste and passed with little to no debate. The usa patriot act the socalled uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism act of 2001, a.
How patriotic is the patriot act freedom versus security in the age of terrorism 9780415950473. Surveillance under the usapatriot act american civil. Soon after the september 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, members of congress quickly passed legislation to grant sweeping new power to both domestic law enforcement and international intelligence agencies the new law, known as the usa patriot act was passed within weeks of the attacks, yet received little input from experts outside law enforcement or debate from the general public. The life or death of the act depends upon the behavior of terrorists. The usa patriot act is a comprehensive piece of legislation that increases the power of the government and intelligence agencies to monitor and punish terrorists and suspected terrorist activity. The usa patriot act is an act of the united states congress that was signed into law by u. This act has caused much concern amongst civil rights advocates. The authors of the five books in the landmark legislation series take the reader behind the scenes to show the drama that led to each bill being passed and the effect each piece of legislation has had in the development of our country. Text of the usa patriot act american civil liberties union. The full name of the legislation is the uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism. Shortly after the terrorist attacks of september 11, 2001, congress passed. Lachlan fox heard his name over the pa system at jfk. The usa patriot act of 2001 center for immigration studies. The usa patriot act is an interesting document that was enacted on october 26, 2001.
The acronym was created by 23yearold congressional staffer chris cylke. The legislation is broad and changes immigration laws, tightens controls on money laundering, and greatly expands the legal use of electronic surveillance. List of books and articles about usa patriot act online. Within this book is the complete, unedited usa patriot act document. This act expands the investigative powers of the federal government so that it may. Key senators have reached a deal with the white house that allays the civil liberties concerns of some critics of the law. Opinion rand pauls timely takedown of the patriot act. The early debate around a key provision wasnt about anything like mass collection of phone records.
Alleged abuses of the law the justice department says there have been no reported abuses of the patriot act. The patriot act was introduced with great haste and passed with little to no debate. The political implications of the usa patriot act for immigrants in short, immigrants who engage in political activities in connection with any organization that has ever violated the law risk being certified as terrorists, placed in mandatory detention, and removed, whether on a technical immigration violation or on terrorism grounds. Dec 17, 2009 stuff they dont want you to know post 911. The hill is a top us political website, read by the white house and more lawmakers than any other site vital for policy, politics and election campaigns. Support our response to covid19 your gift will fund our critical work to protect voting rights, demand that vulnerable people in prisons, jails and immigration detention centers be released, and fight to ensure reproductive health care remains open and accessible to all who need it. Thensenator russ feingold cast the only no vote in the senate,warning the american people that it would sign into law broad power for the government to conduct mass surveillance under a law that requires minimal judicial supervision and deeply threatens constitutional rights. Examine the pros and cons of the act to gain a thorough understanding of the.
Usa patriot act title iii international money laundering abatement and antiterrorist financing act of 2001 sec. Within weeks of the september 11 terrorist attacks, overwhelming majorities in both houses of congress passed the usa patriot act. The full name of the legislation is the uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism act of 2001, hence the acronym usa patriot act. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in politics, or the future of our nation. An nsl is a demand for the release of information and paperwork related to a person under investigation. Bush in october 2001, that significantly expanded the search and surveillance powers of. Or was this necessary to ensure our nations security. Review a summary of the patriot act and the key components of the law. The title of the act is a contrived three letter initialism preceding a seven letter acronym, which in combination stand for uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism act of 2001. That having been said, patriot act is a well written, gripping novel about the nearfuture shattering of a tyrannical regime ruling the united states. Among others expressing reservations or outright opposition to sections of the patriot act are. The title of the act is a contrived three letter initialism usa preceding a seven letter acronym patriot, which in combination stand for uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of. Feulner is the founder and former president of the heritage foundation.
The usa patriot act commonly known as the patriot act is an act of the united states congress that was signed into law by u. Members of congress where a vote passed in july 2003 to scale back certain provisions. Several sections of the act emphasize the need to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of all americans and to condemn any acts of violence or discrimination. Jun 17, 20 remember when the patriot act debate was all about library records. Dec 01, 2001 the uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism act of 2001 usa patriot act, signed into law on october 26, represents the u. Beyond answering the specific question posed in the title of the book, how patriotic is the patriot act.
Prior to the patriot act, these principles were articulated through existing laws, still on the books in 48 states and the district of columbia to protect the. The patriot act had lofty aspirations, for it was designed to correct five perceived weaknesses, or failures. The act brought the law up to date with current technology, so we no longer have to fight a digitalage battle with antique weaponslegal authorities leftover from the era of rotary telephones. He may have annoyed senate colleagues by seizing the floor for a. Patriot act is australian thriller author james phelan second book, and the second book in the lachlan fox series. An ebook reader can be a software application for use on a computer such as microsofts free reader application, or a book sized computer this.
The passing and renewal of the patriot act has been extremely controversial. News about usa patriot act, including commentary and archival articles published in the new york times. List of books and articles about usa patriot act online research. Sixteen surveillance provisions are set to expire on dec. It was midaugust 2001, the last desperate days before the 911 terrorist attacks. Jim sensenbrenner, the main author of the original patriot act, wrote an oped in 20 explaining the nsa bulk collection of data belonging to americans is an abuse of the legislation. The patriot act makes nsls much stronger, allows them to be used against u. Usa patriot act, also called patriot act, in full uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism act of 2001, u. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. Feb 28, 2008 the principal architect was viet dinh. Public law 10756 107th congress an act to deter and punish terrorist acts in the united states and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and for other purposes. Johnson has been challenged for selling books about karl marx, gay rights, and even dinosaurs. The uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism act, or usa patriot act, was introduced less than a week after september 11, 2001, and was signed into law on october 26, 2001. She said she tells the book police that its important that people.
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