Congress approved the bill that will allow the FBI to subpoena business documents and transactions from a broader range of businesses -- everything from libraries to travel agencies to eBay -- without first seeking approval from a judge. The FBI, under this bill that expands the Patriot Act, will be allowed to get bank records and Internet or phone logs just by issuing a letter that doesn't even need to be consulted by a judge. Basically, the the balance of power will be altered as power will shift more to the FBI, and will take some away from the judicial court.
Some officials believe that this bill will strenghten US's national security. "This provision brings the definition of 'financial institution' up to date with the reality of the financial industry," Goss said on the House floor. "This provision will allow those tracking terrorists and spies to 'follow the money' more effectively and thereby protect the people of the United States more effectively(Wired.com © 2009 Condé Nast Digital)."
Nonetheless, some people believe that the expansion of power in a certain group, like the FBI, will create an imbalance of power in the government, and therefore, creating more corruption or abuse of power in the nation.
In my perspective, there should be a line between national security and invasion of Privacy. Giving the FBI the power to search and acquire anyone's personal records, without even a warrant, or consent of other higher officials, will put the the privacy and identity of everyone at risk.
http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/2003/11/61341
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