Competing Versions of Anti-Terror Laws

Congress is debating whether to extend 16 provisions of the USA Patriot Act that are set to expire at the end of this year. There are three competing bills on the issue.

House

Makes 14 provisions permanent.

Extends two other provisions for 10 years: one allows roving wiretaps; another allows searches of library documents, medical files and other records.

Does not include language, approved by the House in a June test vote, that would have blocked searches of library records.

Senate Judiciary Committee

Makes 14 provisions permanent.

Extends provisions on roving wiretaps and library records.

Adds restrictions on government, including increased Justice Department reporting and a right to challenge secret searches in court.

Extends provision in a separate law on surveillance of "lone wolf" terror suspects.

Senate Intelligence Committee

Makes all 16 provisions permanent.

Allows FBI to issue administrative subpoenas in terrorism probes without a judge's approval.

Allows the FBI to more easily monitor mail in terrorism investigations.

SOURCES: House, Senate committees