The latest extension gives investigators in national security cases the continued authority to conduct ''roving'' wiretaps, seek particular business files, and to gather intelligence on terrorists who are not known to be connected to any terrorist group. The measure was supported by 210 Republicans and 65 Democrats.
The Patriot Act has been in place since 2001 and was initiated as a result of the September eleventh terror attacks. It is still in place despite the controversy surrounding the amount of power that it gives to the federal government. Many argue that the surveillance powers go beyond necessity and infringe on constitutional rights.
The Senate has not yet acted on the measure but a long-term extension is likely to be complicated by the fact that Senators Leahy, Feinstein, and Grassley have each introduced individual bills, in an effort to extend segments of the Patriot Act. The Senate must act before the bill expires.
