The '''USA Patriot Act''' (formally, the '''Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001''') was an act passed by [[Congress]] following the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|2001 terror attacks]] on the World Trade Center. The act passed nearly unanimously by the [[Senate]] 98-1, and 357-66 in the [[United States House of Representatives|House]], with the support of members from both political parties<ref>http://www.lifeandliberty.gov/highlights.htm</ref>. Its purpose is to assist the federal government in preventing future terrorist attacks by giving investigators of suspected terrorists the same tools that have always been available to those who investigate drug trafficking and organized crime. | The '''USA Patriot Act''' (formally, the '''Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001''') was an act passed by [[Congress]] following the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|2001 terror attacks]] on the World Trade Center. The act passed nearly unanimously by the [[Senate]] 98-1, and 357-66 in the [[United States House of Representatives|House]], with the support of members from both political parties<ref>http://www.lifeandliberty.gov/highlights.htm</ref>. Its purpose is to assist the federal government in preventing future terrorist attacks by giving investigators of suspected terrorists the same tools that have always been available to those who investigate drug trafficking and organized crime. |