HeadlinesSeptember 11, 2003

On the eve of Sept. 11, President Bush called for the first time for Congress to expand the controversial USA Patriot Act by lowering the standard for investigators to obtain subpoenas to search homes, increase the number of crimes that carry the death penalty and allow for suspects to be held without bail. Bush made the announcement one day after Attorney General John Ashcroft completed a 10-day tour trying to increase support for the original Patriot Act which has been condemned by 159 towns, cities and counties. The House also last month to restrict portions of the Patriot Act. Despite this opposition Bush is pushing for more governmental power.

The Senate yesterday voted to reject the proposed changes in the nation’s overtime laws that could have stripped up to 8 million workers from overtime pay.

In another surprise legislative move, the House voted to roll back provisions of the Cuban trade embargo including the prohibition of American tourism in Cuba. Bush is expected to veto the provision.

In Enron news, former treasurer Ben Glisan, has become the company’s first executive to be jailed for involvement in the firm’s massive financial scandal. Yesterday he began a five-year jail term.

Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh was murdered today shopping unguarded in a department the-clock protection.