Terrorism: Wiretapping Authority

Publication Date: July 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

The terrorist attacks of September 11 stimulated calls to give federal authorities greater wiretapping authority for both criminal and intelligence investigation purposes that culminated in the passage of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act . Congress made further adjustments in the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002, the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, and the law creating the Department of Homeland Security. A fourth piece of legislation, S. 113, has passed the Senate. On the administrative front, the Department of Justice has announced amendments to Bureau of Prison regulations under which attorney-client communications of imprisoned and otherwise detained inmates may be monitored in a limited number of cases involving the threat of violence or terrorism, 66 Fed.Reg.55061 (October 31, 2001).