The U.S. Senate voted 89-10 on Thursday to renew the USA Patriot Act, the anti-terrorism law enacted shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The renewal measure was passed after the Senate approved on Wednesday a related bill that would add more safeguards of civil liberties.

The House was expected to pass the legislation next week before sending it to President George W. Bush.

Sixteen provisions of the law would have expired on Dec. 31 last year, but were extended twice by the Congress to provide more time for lawmakers to resolve differences over safeguards for civil liberties before making permanent most of the provisions the Bush administration deems necessary for its war on terror.

If not renewed, the law would expire on March 10. Under the measure the Senate approved Thursday, 14 of 16 provisions would be made permanent and two others extended by four years.

The law, a centerpiece in President George W. Bush's war on terrorism, expanded the government's power to obtain private records, conduct wiretaps and secret searches and share information.

Source: Xinhua