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Bush signs sweeping anti-terrorism bill into law, promises stiff enforcement By Jesse J. Holland, Associated Press, 10/26/01 WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Friday signed a sweeping anti-terrorism bill into law, giving police and intelligence agencies vast new powers to "counter a threat like no other our nation has ever faced." "Today, we take an essential step in defeating terrorists while protecting the constitutional rights of all Americans," Bush said in an East Room ceremony even as …

…to thwart the flow of money to terrorist groups and protect the U.S. banking system from illicit money. The House inserted an expiration date for the new wiretapping and electronic surveillance powers. Under the bill, Congress has to renew the anti-terrorism legislation before Dec. 31, 2005, or the eavesdropping sections expire. Ashcroft and Bush fought strongly against that provision, but Republican leaders in the House told them the bill could not muster a majority without it.