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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.

Despite the cries of [[liberal]] and civil [[libertarian]] groups, such as the ACLU, the FBI reports that there have not been any verified abuses of any of the provisions of the Patriot Act<ref>http://www.fbi.gov/aboutus/transformation/patriot_act.htm</ref> nor any terrorist incidents causing loss of life on American soil since its passage.   

Despite the cries of [[liberal]] and civil [[libertarian]] groups, such as the ACLU, the FBI reports that there has been many verified abuses of any of the provisions of the Patriot Act<ref>http://www.fbi.gov/aboutus/transformation/patriot_act.htm</ref> nor any terrorist incidents causing loss of life on American soil since its passage.   

Eight states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Montana and Vermont) and 396 cities and counties (including New York City; Los Angeles; Dallas; Chicago; Eugene, Oregon; Philadelphia; and Cambridge, Massachusetts) have passed resolutions condemning the Act for attacking civil liberties.

Eight states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Montana and Vermont) and 396 cities and counties (including New York City; Los Angeles; Dallas; Chicago; Eugene, Oregon; Philadelphia; and Cambridge, Massachusetts) have passed resolutions condemning the Act for attacking civil liberties.