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.
On Eve of 9/11, Bush Seeks to Expand Patriot Act
HeadlineSep 11, 2003