Back in the United States, in response to fierce criticism of the USA Patriot Act, the Washington Post reports Attorney General Alberto Gonzales plans to propose today making minor modifications to the Act. The move will mark the first effort by the Justice Department to address any concerns by critics of the legislation. Gonzales is expected to announce his support for limiting the use of secret warrants strictly for cases involving national security and to allow the targets to mount legal challenges to the search. Gonzales and FBI Director Robert Mueller are appearing today to defend the Patriot Act during Senate hearings on whether certain provisions of the Act should be renewed at the end of the year. Meanwhile Republican Senator Larry Craig of Idaho and Democrat Richard Durbin of Illinois plan to introduce joint legislation today aimed at scaling back major parts of the law. Over the past three years hundreds of local and state governments have passed resolutions criticizing the Patriot Act.