What event did Congress respond to with the adoption of the USA PATRIOT Act?

The USA PATRIOT Act was adopted in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. This legislation was enacted to enhance law enforcement's ability to prevent terrorism and improve communication among government agencies to better address national security threats. The Act included provisions to improve surveillance capabilities and expand the government's authority to monitor financial transactions, especially those that might be linked to terrorist financing.

This context is essential because the adoption of the USA PATRIOT Act was not directly related to issues in the mortgage lending market or the housing crisis that occurred later. It specifically targeted the urgent need for increased security measures and anti-terrorism efforts in the aftermath of an unprecedented attack on American soil. Therefore, the focus on combating terrorism and the strengthening of national security frameworks was a driving force behind this piece of legislation.