Americans might react emotionally at first, but upon reflection, they see the need to protect our country as the first priority of the President.
The Presidnet will do what he needs to, in order to protect the country, whether or not COngress is up to speed.
Renewal of the Patriot Act is a Congressional activity, and whether or not it's renewed, do you think the President would modify the actions being taken to protect the country?
A terror threat was levelled at Brandeis University. The FBI was able to trace the email back to the library in Ithaca.
When the FBI arrived the librarians refused to allow the FBI access to the computers without a warrant.
This warrant took HOURS to obtain, all the while the university was under terror threat.
There are many things in the Patriot Act that must be renewed to enable the President to do his job.