The term "Patriot Act" is often synonymous with the phrase "The USA PATRIOT Act" which stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act. Synonyms for the Patriot Act may include "Anti-Terrorism Act", "National Security Act", or "Homeland Security Act". These terms generally describe similar legislation designed to provide law enforcement agencies with broader surveillance powers in order to prevent terrorist attacks. However, opinions on the Patriot Act and its effectiveness in protecting national security versus infringing on citizens' civil liberties differ greatly, making it a controversial topic to this day.