Senate Blocks Extension of Patriot Act

[Jorge]

The Senate on Friday rejected attempts to reauthorize several provisions of the USA Patriot Act as infringing too much on Americans' privacy, dealing a major defeat to President Bush and Republican leaders. In a crucial vote Friday morning as Congress raced toward adjournment, the bill's Senate supporters were not able to garner the 60 votes necessary to overcome a threatened filibuster by Sens. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and their allies. The final vote was 52-47 Bush, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and GOP congressional leaders had lobbied fiercely to make most of the expiring Patriot Act provisions permanent, and add new safeguards and expiration dates to the two most controversial parts: roving wiretaps and secret warrants for books, records and other items from businesses, hospitals and organizations such as libraries.

Read the complete article (http://www.zeropaid.com/news/6033/Senate+Blocks+Extension+of+Patriot+Act/)

[mfgbypooter]

One good thing about this being defeated is they tried to tack on legislation to also regulate Ephedrine based cold medicines.

Damn those terrorists and their meth labs!

Better luck next time Big Brother.

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[moneoa]

Fuck the patriot act

the reason why it will never pass because the GOP knows if they fuck up now come the next election
they aren't getting back in

[mcovey]

well.. this skirmish is won but this is a large battle in the war on your freedom

Now the bill goes back to the house to be "fixed up" and another vote will take place. EVERY senator at least says we need the patriot act, some just say it needs to be different.

Hopefully that fillibuster will work..

[Pirate_RRRRRR_IIIIII]

Its nice to see some of our leaders coming to their senses. I really hope this marks the first step to undoing everything the bushites screwed up

[que-em]

The problem with our "leaders" is they are a bunch of cowards. As soon as a continuous stream of "retreat and defeat", "you want the terrorists to win", "you'll be responsible if America is attacked" bullsh*t slogans are repeated they'll duck back under the covers. And the ones who are courageous to stand up for will be standing alone by themselves.

[cronian]

Only part of the patriot act expires. Many of the worst provisions are in the part that doesn't expire.