THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS SNEAKING BY WHILE YOU ARE DISTRACTED WITH THE TRUMP DRAMA; THE PATRIOT ACT WAS WRITTEN WITH “SUNSET” PROVISIONS REQUIRING CONGRESS TO RE-AUTHORIZE THE PROGRAM EVERY FEW YEARS. ALTHOUGH THE ACT EXPIRED IN MARCH, 2020 WITHOUT BEING REAUTHORIZED, FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES RETAIN MOST OF THE AUTHORITIES GRANTED BY THE ACT.