Select a policy topic that you find interesting. It could be the death penalty,

Question

distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, the Voting Rights Act, the Patriot Act, or another
topic you want to learn about. Search online to read newspaper articles about the
policy. Read at least five articles from different newspapers. Did your policy have a
sunset provision? Did Congress reevaluate the policy and make amendments? How
did it change? (answer this in simple words and grade 10 level)

Answer 1

Let's talk about the Patriot Act, which is an interesting policy topic. The Patriot Act was passed in 2001 after the September 11 attacks in the U.S. Its main goal was to improve national security and help law enforcement prevent future terrorist attacks.

1. Sunset Provision: The Patriot Act did have a sunset provision, which means that certain parts of the law would automatically expire after a certain period unless Congress decided to renew them. This was included to allow Congress to reevaluate the effectiveness and impact of the law.

2. Reevaluation and Amendments: Over the years, parts of the Patriot Act were reexamined by Congress. Some sections were altered or even allowed to expire. For example, in 2015, a key part of the law that allowed the government to collect phone records in bulk was replaced with the USA Freedom Act. This new law aimed to limit government surveillance and increase privacy rights for citizens.

3. Changes: The Patriot Act has changed significantly since it was first passed. While its main goal was to enhance security, there have been concerns about privacy and civil liberties. The debate over the balance between security and freedom continues, leading to changes in how the law is applied and enforced.

In summary, the Patriot Act started with strong measures for security but has been adjusted over the years due to concerns about civil liberties. The sunset provision allowed Congress to revisit and modify parts of the law for better balance.