This study examines sourcing and framing of U.S. elite newspapers’ coverage of the reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Act. A content analysis of stories in three U.S. newspapers between December 1, 2005 and March 10, 2006 indicates that a majority of news stories relied heavily on government sources and that the press failed to do its job of including a variety of sources and viewpoints. Regarding topics, counterterrorism, government powers, civil liberties concerns and privacy concerns are the aspects stressed in the media coverage of the renewal. Additionally, the study found that the three newspapers have standardized their own style and wording to cue their readers about what the law is. An examination of the tone in editorials and Op-Ed pieces shows that a majority of those articles are critical of the Act or express mixed feelings towards it. The only supportive voice was from supporters of Bush administration policies.