NOW IT'S URGENT THAT HE APE W?:

Patriot Act surveillance provisions extended in nick of time (Reuters, 5/27/11)

The US Congress, racing the clock and rejecting demands for additional safeguards of civil liberties, passed a bill on Thursday to renew three expiring provisions of the anti-terrorism Patriot Act.

Barack Obama, who is in Europe, signed it into law shortly before the provisions were set to expire at midnight. A White House aide said he used an "auto pen", which replicates his signature.

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