Which law expanded federal surveillance powers after the 9/11 attacks?

• A. Patriot Act of 1997
• B. USA PATRIOT Act of 2001
• C. Homeland Security Act
• D. National Security Act

Answer: (B)

After the 9/11 attacks, the government moved to broaden how it gathers information to prevent terrorism. The law that directly expanded federal surveillance powers in that period is the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001. It broadened authority to monitor communications and records, introducing roving wiretaps that follow suspects across devices, access to business and personal records with fewer hurdles, and sneak-and-peek searches. It also improved information sharing among federal agencies, making it easier to connect clues across different parts of the government. The other options involve different reforms: the Homeland Security Act reorganized agencies and created the Department of Homeland Security; the National Security Act is an older framework that established the modern intelligence community; and the Patriot Act of 1997 is not the statute enacted after 9/11.