The USA Patriot Act: The Basics

    Susan Hansen, The Century Foundation , 9/8/2004

    Enacted within weeks after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, The Patriot Act received the overwhelming support of Congress. Since then, many elements of the law have aroused opposition. A range of critics, including civil libertarians, librarians, and pro-gun groups from across the political spectrum have argued that the legislation struck the wrong balance between the government’s need to protect public safety and constitutional safeguards protecting personal privacy and due process.

With many of the law’s provisions scheduled to expire in 2005, The Century Foundation’s new Basics pamphlet on The Patriot Act explains the law, lays out the controversies, and synthesizes what is known about how the legislation has been implemented

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