WHAT IS (AETA) THE ANIMAL ENTERPRISE TERRORISM ACT?

The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) is a bill which sought to amend the 1992 Animal Enterprise Protection Act (AEPA - PL 102-346) - a section under Title 18 of the criminal code which protects animal enterprises from illegal acts comitted by animal activists.

The AETA bill (S 3880) was introduced by Mr. Inhofe (R-OK), Mrs. Feinstein (D-CA), Mr. Thune (R-SD), and Mr. Isakson (R-GA).It passed in the Senate Sept 30, 2006 and then was passed in the House on a voice vote with only six house members present. Finally it was signed into law by President Bush November 27, 2006. All this with almost no media attention admist public outcry.