Democrats and Republicans Strike a Deal on the Patriot Act
- Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:28pm by
Billy Hallowell
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The Congressional debate surrounding The Patriot Act has concluded — at least for the short term. On Thursday, leaders came to an agreement to extend the three most contentious provisions until June 1, 2015. According to The New York Times:
The sections allow investigators to get “roving wiretap” court orders allowing them to follow terrorism suspects who switch phone numbers or providers; to get orders allowing them to seize “any tangible things” relevant to a security investigation, like a business’s customer records; and to get national-security wiretap orders against noncitizen suspects who are not believed to be connected to any foreign power.
The Obama administration asked Congress to renew the provisions, while taking a coy stance about whether any particular changes were a good idea. Some Republicans, meanwhile, argued that the provisions should be made permanent without any modifications.
There has been a diversity of opinion regarding how The Patriot Act should be handled. Some lawmakers want to see changes to these provisions (audits and more transparency), while others have been pushing to see the law continue untouched. For this latter group, Thursday’s bi-partisan agreement was essentially a victory.
Wired provides an excellent recap of the three legislative pieces that have been so contentious over the years:
- The “roving wiretap” provision allows the FBI to obtain wiretaps from a secret intelligence court, known as the FISA court (under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act), without identifying the target or what method of communication is to be tapped.
- The “lone wolf” measure allows FISA court warrants for the electronic monitoring of a person for any reason — even without showing that the suspect is an agent of a foreign power or a terrorist. The government has said it has never invoked that provision, but the Obama administration said it wanted to retain the authority to do so.
- The “business records” provision allows FISA court warrants for any type of record, from banking to library to medical, without the government having to declare that the information sought is connected to a terrorism or espionage investigation.
The Senate is expected to vote on the measure early next week, with the House following suit later in the week. While the government won’t be debating this issue again for quite some time, the ACLU and other key players will likely have plenty to say in the interim.
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Comments (133)
Entropy
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 5:00pmYou are one of the goons that we want to get rid of . “doing anything wrong”-give me a break. The govt knows that we are sick of them and their BS and they will do ANYTHING to find out what we are up to. Anybody that sides with these go &ons will be sought out when the SHTF>And, you will be found.
Report Post »showmerancher
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:58pmThe Constitution is sold out again by both Democrats and Republicans alike.
Report Post »Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 7:21amDemocrats and Republicans can go to hell, I’m going to Texas.
Report Post »CaptDick
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:46pmDefinition of American “bipartisanship” – when the mean party gets together with the stupid party and does something that is BOTH mean and stupid.
Report Post »De minimus
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:44pmEnough is enough!
Report Post »ares338
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:43pmIt’s amazing that something that is supposed to protect us winds up being used against us more often than not. You can’t get something done, claim national security. Baddabing…pow
Report Post »USAMEDIC3008
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:38pmDepends on how you define Wrong
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:22pmI though we were worried about the debt ceiling? Well I guess the government didn’t collapse after all so now they can ignore the debt and everything and concentrate on us by stripping our freedoms away. As long as they stick to the terror suspects I guess it will be alright.
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:07amYou mean the terrorists like those who oppose abortion, reject illegal immigration, vocal 2nd amendment advocates and those who have Ron Paul stickers on their vehicles?
DHS has already labeled us.. Reject tyranny always! You can never assume human nature is good.. Our founders didn‘t and that’s why they divided the Gov’t as they did… The human heart is desperately wicked.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:11pmThe Patriot Act. The bill that Obama whined about back in ‘04 that government has no business rushing through 1400 page bills without reading them…
Report Post »Black Manta
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:09pmThegood Lord is coming back too smite the government…This is the time for lost souls to come to Jesus our saviour….The only one who defeated death and hell…Praise Jesus..
Report Post »temple62
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:06pmThere isn’t much difference between those with an R or a D. They both “bonded” to ensure they would still get their paychecks in the event of a government shutdown. They both get the families student loans “waived” once they hit the streets of gold and take office. Put them in a flour sack, shake them up and dump them out and they all look alike – self serving public servants!
Report Post »Daddy Hawg
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:03pmhttp://obamaspeeches.com/041-The-PATRIOT-Act-Obama-Speech.htm
Report Post »Then Senator Obama on the Patriot act. Read paragraphs 8 – 12 to see what Barry had to say back then about violation of civil liberties.
FuturePresident
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:03pmIt’s funny, a lot of the people i know are still fooled into thinking this whole thing is Republican vs. Democrats. When really our problem is much bigger, its the Republicans and the Democrats we have to worry about. They just play games to make it look like they are fighting when in reality they put on a show in front of us, and cut deals with eachother behind closed doors. How could any American support this law. Our rights are just an illusion now, because we aren’t being arrested…yet.
Report Post »republic2011
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:57pmSo much for a conservative victory in 2010. We just hired a bunch of progressives in disguise. This needs to be a bigger issue.
Report Post »TP101class2011
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:23pmNO. we still have work to do at the top. stay in this fight or die trying.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:55pmWe didnt invoke it, but we want to keep it. Priceless premier Obama.
Report Post »TRILO
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:54pmDon’t you feel safer already? Thank you Big Brother. It is so comforting to know that you are watching my back. Don’t worry, you just have to give up a little bit of your freedoms and Constitutoinal rights in return for safety. I would like to know who the “some” in the Republican party are that want to make these provisions permanent. At least now they have a sunset provision which makes them have to defend their positions and be held responsible at the ballot box.
Report Post »Windsong
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:53pmHuh. Mr. Obama and his band of…angry administrators have no problem implanting GPS’s into every human, or killing up to 25 million people if they continue to stand for freedom ( that was Bill Ayres’ little gem), or making all records for every facet of our lives available to the ‘admnistration’.
Report Post »BUT, they draw the line at groups who want to ensure the security of this nation. My, my.
If the Patriot act goes away, so does the Google/GE/Union/Soros/Sunstein plan to Lord over all we do, say and eat. You should have tried your little plots to overtake the world on a smaller, less mighty country. Instead, you messed with people who KNOW freedom and refuse to give it up.
Too bad the media has no wisdom anymore. I guess they don‘t understand that their ’free speech’ – as opposed to pre-written scripts by the government – is at stake. Huh.
TP101class2011
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:21pmwell said
Report Post »Daddy Hawg
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:51pmThe fact that this is happening should scare the crap out of you. The “Lone Wolf” clause gives the FISA the right to tap anyone for any reason without any approval. The 4th Amendment to the Bill of Rights may as well go in the little round file next to your desk if you think this is a good idea. I have nothing to hide, but how often has the government made a mistake trying to do the right thing?
Report Post »Uncurable wound
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:50pmthe other hand!
Report Post »Thatguyoverthere
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:47pmYes they finally came to an agreement, although it’s most likely the same agreement they always come to………………..They both get an equal amount of time re-sizing our collective turd cutters.
Report Post »VRW Conspirator
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:39pmUgh…I think I am going to be sick…I …ugh…agree…ARGH…with… OMG…the ACLU….NO the apocalyse is here….run for your lives….
Report Post »Thatguyoverthere
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:48pmmay 21………..the billboard told me so……..
Report Post »Daddy Hawg
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:53pm6 pm
Report Post »The Deacon
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:38pmI hope the House shuts this down
Report Post »Texas Grasshopper
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:40pmtime to retire the Patriot act ..
Report Post »MsMonsoon
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 5:15pmDeacon: So far that hope BS hasn’t worked out so very well for us, has it?
Report Post »John 3:16
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 5:45pmTime to retire all (Progressives) whether they are DemocRATs or Republicans….
Report Post »@ Coyote2
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 11:36pmIf the White House shut down, what would we do with all the money??
Report Post »UnicornLady1
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:37pm“The “lone wolf” measure allows FISA court warrants for the electronic monitoring of a person for any reason — even without showing that the suspect is an agent of a foreign power or a terrorist. The government has said it has never invoked that provision, but the Obama administration said it wanted to retain the authority to do so.”
What always strikes me as humorous is the way liberal followers of Obama seek to think that this applies only to Conservatives. The fools. Is there ANYONE for the patriot act?
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:33pmDemocrats and Republicans Strike a Deal…the 6 worst word strung together ever.
Report Post »BonnieBlueFlag
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:07pm@Ted
2 points for Ted.
Report Post »MsMonsoon
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:58pmRepublicans… Quit striking deals (just other words for caving in) and grow a spine!
Report Post »TP101class2011
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:17pmcan we find anyone to just stanf for what’s right, just and decent? if that rep will stand I will stand with him or her, we have to cover there backs when they do stand.
Report Post »BonnieBlueFlag
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:32pmMost of these provisions have to do with either foreign citizens or American citizens conducting business with foreign entities. All I can say is that they better not get rid of these provisions while still feeling up and irradiating AMERICAN citizens on DOMESTIC flights.
Report Post »Texas Grasshopper
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:39pmsorry ..off topic but any here anything the the fallout from japan ? …Seems like there is no relaible information anywhere …? you got me thinking with irradiating phrase
Report Post »prepper1776
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:19pm@texas infowars is the only site i find any article on the japanese meltdown . from what i’m seeing its getting alot worse.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:29pmNice to see progressives banding together.
Report Post »Mannax
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:43pmUnfortunate. I hope we can figure out who all voted for this and vote them out next time.
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:45pmDirty little secret folks. The FBI CIA and NSA already have the ability to wiretap, listen in and generally spy on anybody they want. The only thing the Patriot act provides for is the ability to use the information they gather in court. If the government decides for whatever reason to have someone killed, citizen or otherwise, that person is dead. They would of course have to face a court of law unless a Presidential finding is issued and a Presidential Pardon can always be issued after the fact. Bottom line don’t fear the “Government”, watch closely those we elect to run the Government and use great care in who we elect. After all Adolph Hitler and his National Socialist Workers Party(Nazi) were elected in free and fair elections in 1932.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:49pmYes .. Liberty loses again .. 2012 no progressives R or D.
TEA!
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:50pmI was just going to suggest that. Many including myself were all for this to stop terror but when they start using it on everyone its clear it was a bad idea and should have expired. We are in a police state and the government seeks more power over us and wants to know everything we do.
In ‘V for Vendetta’ the wagon they use to throw ppl they round up in has on the back of it “For Your Protection”. Thats the excuse for more infringement on civil liberties. I will go out on a limb and say the CIA, NSA, FBI were all probably already doing the things the Patriot Act enabled. This is not the America I grew up in.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:03pmAgreed. Is it just me, or are we all inclined to not trust this administration with ANY of our freedoms?
Report Post »Newt_Ca-Ching!_Rich!
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:04pmThis is absolutely the best thing, at this time, although until we know more; it could shift, but for right now, I tentatively support this until the poll results are in. Please send funds ASAP.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:04pm2012 Clean ALL three branches of government and All The bureaucrats Out of Government.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:13pmThe Patriot Act was prowling around in my mind last night. My thoughts are that a CHUNK of it needs to be repealed. The parts about the military authority over civilians for no basis is over the top.
Report Post »BJColter Country Music Iconoclast
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:17pmAs long as Caliphate Obama says he won’t use warrantless electronic monitoring, he won’t. He’s been so honest up until now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXvRDmM5Zx4
Glenn Beck, use this for your theme song!
Report Post »Jedrin
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:51pmhauschild
Report Post »I totally agree. I feel like The Rs and Ds are two entities that have invaded this country and are squabbling on how to divide it and who gets this slave and who gets that river. I refuse to play the game anymore, Washington DC is not my lord ruler, I lead myself through this wilderness. I bend my knee to no man.
Classical Liberal
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:52pmyup, seems liberty will be challenged while the rest of America is to busy giving a rats ass about the terminator and his love child. This is another example of just how much work there is left to do. It really is an ongoing battle.
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:54pmWe’re the Government – we’re here to help…..
(you lose your freedom and liberty)
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:58pmThis is a perfect example of too many Repubs not “getting it.“ We are now willing to give up some of our ”protections” in order to keep something even more valuable; our FREEDOM. Cant believe I would side with the ACLU on this.
Report Post »six6six
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 5:06pmWow. The Tea Party and the ACLU agree on something. Who said we can’t come together?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 5:29pm@Mannax:
Agreed here, get these turncoats and traitors out of there; the progressive agenda has got to be shut down and dismantled before going much further.
Report Post »booger71
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 6:30pmShould be called the Anti-Liberty Act
Report Post »LibertariansUnite
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 6:53pmI have bad, and sad news for all those constitutionalist Tea Partiers out there.
Your man, Allen West? Yeah him, he voted to renew the Patriot Act. So did Michelle Bachmann.
Ron Paul? What do you think he voted? No.
You can be fooled by soundbites and falsehoods for so long, but how long will it take you to realize there is a reason the media blasts Ron Paul. There is a reason that FOX news and the Liberal Media downplays him, that reason is because he is not sold.
Allen West, after hearing his vote on Health Care and The Patriot Act is an official Neocon.
So all you people calling to “clean out Washington”, you might want to start with your man West.
Report Post »TP101class2011
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:11pmLibertariansUnite, what are you saying about Allen West? what health care vote or the patroit act? West just got there 6 months ago. what bill number are you talking about?
Report Post »Anarcho Capitalist
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:25pmto bad most of those ”grass roots” **** heads you all fell for voted for it…. When will you all learn?
Ron Paul 2012
This may be your last chance
Report Post »LibertariansUnite
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 9:01pmHere is your link attributing Allen West to the Patriot Act.
http://www.rlc.org/2011/02/09/patriot-act-renewal/
And Michelle Bachmann.
Listen, you “tea partiers” need to realize quick, that the tea party got hijacked, and died a few years back.
Your now on the Neocon train. Stop listening to FOX, and open up some books.
Report Post »jackrorabbit
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 11:08pmWait, wasn’t Obama against this specifically when Bush passed it in 2002?
Report Post »The further we go the more I think Obama is Bush III, and that isn’t a good thing, since he is on steroids with spending and government expansion.
Classical Liberal
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 1:00am@libertarianSunnite, your right about people being wrong about allen West being the conservatives best choice for a candidate. Ron Paul is a true conservative but at his age, is he electable?
We should definitely not be pursuing West for the job. Sorry to his fans, but he is not going to beat Obama.
Report Post »LibertariansUnite
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 1:09amThe only person claiming he is unelectable is every pundit on FOX news,
He is very much electable, and I would trust Ron Paul to pick a VP that would share his values, versus a neocon who would pick establishment.
We do not have many chances to turn this country around, I would suggest taking the only one we got, win or lose.
Report Post »LibertariansUnite
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 1:12amAlso, for more information on RP, he has plenty of sites, the major one is DailyPaul Independently ran by grass roots. Check him out, let him clarify his issues, not some pundit.
Report Post »*************************
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 1:25am“Democrats and Republicans Strike a Deal on the Patriot Act”
Why do they ALWAYS mis-spell it? It’s spelled the .. T-Y-R-A-N-N-Y .. A-C-T .. .
I hope that clears up basic spelling once and for all … and also spells out what Americans must do about it. Eh?
Report Post »one yrs. food ration like Glenn says..
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 7:19amI wonder how West will be voting since this is small potatos and not even worth it.. West, show those republicans send a message…
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:30amAnother disgrace to our Constitution and win for the wicked Marxists in DC.
Report Post »BidBerthaDotCom
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:49amYet another reason why I am a Libertarian and not a Republican.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:14pmI don’t need to know everyone who voted for it.
I know Michelle Bachman would have voted for it if she hasn’t already, and RON PAUL WOULDN’T.
Report Post »foobear
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 4:47amVote them all out, Republicans and Democrats both, that voted for the PATRIOT Act.
Donate to the EFF.
Report Post »