President Bush signs the Patriot Act into effect just 24 hours before it expires. The president has repeatedly called the act an essential tool in the war on terrorism. The expiration date of the 16 controversial provisions had twice been extended due to political debate. One of the more controversial provisions gives federal officials the authority to obtain tangible items like financial records, from libraries and bookstores, in connection with terrorism investigations, according to the AP. Another provision specifies that foreign officials performing investigations related to terrorism should share information with law enforcement in the U.S.”]
Source: https://www.csoonline.com/article/2119669/president-bush-signs-patriot-act.html