By a slim margin over the required votes, the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday decided to make 14 key provisions of the controversial Patriot Act permanent and extend two others for four years each.

U.S. President George W. Bush, who has been urging the extension of the act for months, is expected to sign the legislation before the 16 provisions of the 2001 law expire on Friday.

"The president looks forward to signing the bill into law," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

The House vote was 280-138, just two more than needed under special rules that required a two-thirds majority.

The U.S. Senate passed the Patriot Act last Friday by an 89-10 vote, after adding restrictions to the 16 provisions of the anti-terror law.

Before that, a two-month Senate filibuster, which was fueled by the revelation that Bush had authorized secret, warrantless wiretapping, forced the U.S. Congress to postpone the original Dec. 31 expiration deadline twice.

The standoff forced the White House to accept some new restrictions on the law.

These restrictions will give recipients of court-approved subpoenas for information in terrorist investigations the right to challenge a requirement that they refrain from telling anyone.

It will also clarify that most libraries are not subject to demands from government agencies for information about suspected terrorists.

First enacted shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, the Patriot Act broadened the ability of the U.S. government to obtain private records, conduct wiretaps and searches and share information.

Fierce debate over the law's renewal has pitted critics who say its provisions have infringed too much on basic rights against backers who say such measures are essential to safeguard America against further attacks.

Source: Xinhua