http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washi ... _approval/Patriot Act wins final approval in Congress
By Thomas Ferraro | March 2, 2006
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Capping months of partisan wrangling, the U.S. Senate gave final congressional approval on Thursday to renewing the USA Patriot Act, which expanded the government's power to track down foes in the war on terrorism......
.....With 16 provisions of the act set to expire next week, the bill would make 14 of them permanent and extend two others by four years.
The bill would also provide fresh tools to combat terrorist financing, protect mass transit, secure ports and curb abuse of methamphetamines, a highly addictive drug.