Essay on 2001 USA Patriot Act is Unconstitutional and...

I. Introduction In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks US Congress passed legislation known as the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 commonly known as the USA Patriot Act. This paper will attempt to prove that not only is the USA Patriot Act unconstitutional but many of its provisions do nothing at all to protect Americans from the dangers of terrorism. While this act made legislative changes that increased surveillance and the investigative powers of law enforcement agencies to protect America from further terrorist acts, the passing of the USA Patriot Act has reduced the privacy rights of Americans and also does not†¦show more content†¦The Bush Administration implied that members who voted against it would be blamed for any further attacks - a serious threat at a time when the nation was expecting a second attack would come at any moment and when reports of anthrax letters were appearing daily. (Surveillance Under the USA Patriot Act) The bill was officially signed into law as the USA Patriot Act on October 26, 2001 by President Bush. Congress acted without determining whether the weaknesses in our surveillance had contributed to the attacks or whether the changes they were making would help prevent further attacks. The two amendments that were effected the most by the USA Patriot Act were the First and Fourth Amendments. The First Amendment reads â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances† . (United States House of Representatives-Amendments to the Constitution) Section 802 of the USA Patriot Act titled â€Å"Definition of Domestic Terrorism† states that acts committed within the United States dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws can be considered acts of domestic terrorism if they appear to be intended to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion or to intimidate or coerce a civilian population. (H.R.Show MoreRelatedEssay1181 Words   |  5 Pagesattacks on the World Trade Center. On this day, the United States came under direct attack by terrorists. 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