Bush signs Patriot Act extension, defense bill

President &to=http://english.pravda.ru/mailbox/22/101/399/16628_Bush.html' target=_blank>George W. Bush, unhappy with Congress for not permanently extending the Patriot Act, on Friday signed a bill that renews the anti-terrorism law for a few weeks and pushes lawmakers to take up the debate over its measures.

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Bush signed about a dozen other bills, including a defense measure that funnels extra money to Iraq, Afghanistan and the hurricane-damaged coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Bush is spending the week between Christmas and New Year's Day at his Texas ranch. He plans to return to Washington on Sunday.

The &to=http://english.pravda.ru/main/2002/01/14/25486.html' target=_blank>Patriot Act extension keeps anti-terrorism laws that were due to expire Dec. 31 in place until Feb. 3. The one-month extension means lawmakers must debate again in January the merits of government anti-terrorism powers that some critics fault for not protecting Americans' civil liberties.

The extension allows the FBI to continue to investigate terrorism cases using powers granted in 2001, including roving wiretaps and the authority to intercept wire, spoken and electronic communications relating to terrorism.

Bush is urging lawmakers to make the extension permanent.

"Suffice it to say, our law enforcement community needs this," White House spokesman Trent Duffy said. "He's not satisfied with a one-month extension. But we've got to get that in place and we've got to work with them to get it permanently re-extended."

Bush and Republican leaders pushed hard for a permanent extension of the expiring provisions but could not overcome a Senate filibuster, a delaying tactic led by Democrats.

The defense bill Bush signed keeps the Pentagon running, provides $50 billion (Ђ42 billion) more to military action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and gives $29 billion (Ђ25 billion) in hurricane aid to the Gulf Coast.

The bill provides $3.8 billion (Ђ3.2 billion) to prepare for a possible outbreak of bird flu and liability protections for flu drug manufacturers, reports AP. O.Ch.

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