I think your labeling of 'creeping authoritarianism' could be accepted as an apt description. On the other hand I think the proposed provisions could in fact be the ones that prevent a terrorist from setting off a nuke in downtown Chicago. This issue obviously needs to be examined very carefully by Congress and this is a situation where they should nit-pick at each proposal.
Director Mueller stated, "For many years, the FBI has had administrative subpoena authority for investigations of crimes ranging from drug trafficking to health care fraud to child exploitation," he stated. "Yet, when it comes to terrorism investigations, the FBI has no such authority." IF this is the case, and I'm not privy to the existing laws, then I think he makes a good case to expand those powers to include terrorism.
and what is the definition of terrorism?
have you heard of these agency chiefs speak of "domestic terrorism"? you would be really surprised at who that includes - it aint just muslim extremists. it's whoever thy want it to be.