Government

Senate Passes Short-Term Extension of Patriot Act

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Tuesday voted to extend for 90 days the legal life of three post-Sept. 11 terrorism-fighting measures, including the use of roving wiretaps, that are set to expire at the end of the month.

The short-term extension gives lawmakers a chance to review the measures that critics from both the right and left say are unconstitutional infringements on personal liberties.

The Senate vote came a day after the House agreed to extend the three provisions, including two from the 2001 USA Patriot Act, until Dec. 8. The two chambers must now agree on a common approach. With Congress in recess next week, there is pressure to reach a compromise this week.

The measures include the authority to initiate roving wiretaps on multiple electronic devices and the authority to obtain court-approved access to business records considered relevant to terrorist investigations. The third “lone wolf” provision, part of a 2004 law, permits secret intelligence surveillance of non-U.S. individuals not known to be linked to a specific terrorist activity.

Without the three provisions, said Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., “our law enforcement and intelligence agencies would lack important tools to protect this nation.”

But from the inception of the Patriot Act in the days after the Sept. 11 attacks, the increased surveillance powers have been subject to scrutiny and criticism from both conservatives and liberals who say they violate free speech rights and rights against unwarranted searches and seizures.

“We knew we were in a very emotional state” after the attacks, said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. He said the provisions give the government access to sensitive personal records such as medical, library and gun records, and “can lead to government fishing expeditions that target, unfortunately, innocent Americans.”

Freshman Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky agreed that “in the fear after 9/11 we didn’t debate these things fully.”

Paul sent out a letter to his Senate colleagues earlier in the day, saying that in the wake of the attacks the government “greatly expanded its own power, ignoring obvious answers in favor of the permanent expansion of a police state.”

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy, D-Vt., has introduced legislation, scheduled to be taken up by his committee on Thursday, that would extend the three provisions through 2013 while tightening up oversight. Feinstein has also called for extension through 2013 while several Republicans have proposed that they be made permanent.

“The bill I hope we will consider before May 27 would give the intelligence community the certainty it needs by extending these expiring authorities while also strengthening congressional and judicial oversight,” Leahy said.

The White House, in a statement last week regarding the House bill, said it “does not object” to the 10-month extension proposed by the House but would prefer continuing the authority through the end of 2012 because “longer duration provides the necessary certainty and predictability that our nation’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies require.”

Comments (65)

  • tower7femacamp
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 1:24pm

    these are the same NeoCons that put people in prison
    for possession of Mary J but NEVER investigate Criminal
    Bankers at JPM ,GS,AIG,CITIcorp, and Moodys to name a few.
    So they pass a bill striping us of our rights and the Federal reserve
    doesn’t even have to testify or answer questions under oath.

    Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • tower7femacamp
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 12:17pm

    Funny how quiet it gets when Michele Bachmann is exposed as a Hypocrite

    Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • cykonas
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 12:37pm

      or West, or Ryan, or DeMint, or McConnell, or Boehner, or …… I noticed there were two; one in the House and one in the Senate that backed up their talk with their vote and both had the same last name. Strange how that works, isn’t it?

      Report Post » cykonas  
    • cykonas
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 12:40pm

      By the way I sent Bachmann an email yesterday asking what she thought about changing the name of her caucus from Tea Party to T Party, where the T can stand for traitor. That way I won’t get confused with their mission.

      Report Post » cykonas  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 1:19pm

      that is a great idea !
      keep up the good work cykonas

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • tower7femacamp
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:38am

    Paid posters will not touch this one, the blaze wants this one on the back burner
    I say we move up the numbers.

    Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • tower7femacamp
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:19am

    what happened to SINSTA ? I hope he’s not banned for telling the truth.

    Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • tower7femacamp
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:12am

    I wonder if Rand Paul can do anything , like a filibuster in the Senate ?

    Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • cykonas
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:27am

      Filibuster is very difficult to accomplish when in the minority Party.

      Report Post » cykonas  
  • xm-1774u
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:01am

    hey congress …no!

    Report Post »  
  • cykonas
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:09am

    For those who consider this post off subject I apologize. It’s an observation that I think is interesting. I would guess that the average Blaze poster is better informed and more aware than the average voter. More than the average voter I think they are concerned with the direction or our Country and the erosion of our personal liberties.

    So, I was surprised the the top three viewed stories when I logged on this mornings were:
    CBS Reporter Assaulted 399 comments
    Helen Thomas Opinion 365 comments
    Chris Matthews/Beck 334 comments
    Total 1098 comments

    Then I looked at 3 stories that are all about the things that I thought Blazers found important:
    House PA Extension 25 comments
    TSA Stealing 132 comments
    Senate PA Extension 34 comments
    Total 191 comments

    I’m wrong again! But then, I can’t understand how Jersey Shore and Dancing can be the most watched TV shows either. Or, how we could elect a very short term Senator with no real legislative or executive background to be POTUS. I guess I’m just out of touch with the world.

    Report Post » cykonas  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:35am

      house PA story, I think most were just happy it failed
      we will see how this version does today.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • cykonas
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 11:49am

      @Tower
      My larger point was concerning the overall focus in society, not the passage/non-passage of a particular piece of legislation. We seem to be easily attracted to the glitz but eschew the important.

      Report Post » cykonas  
  • goatkid
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 7:37am

    give em an inch and they’ll take a mile. soon they will be monitoring local phone calls, if they aren’t already.

    Report Post »  
  • detest
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 6:33am

    Anyone else notice that part of the reason for the Egyptian protests were about extra constitutional steps their government took to “protect” them from terrorism, as Mubarak alluded to during his handing off power speech? Not seeing or hearing any coverage on this.

    Report Post »  
  • Rights of Man
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 6:09am

    Interesting comments here.

    I don’t recall “The Defenders of the Constitution”, a.k.a., Conservatives, saying much at all when this POS was brought into fruition.

    Conservatives + Liberals = Guaranteed destruction of whatever country they infest. They are but the two sides of the same collectivist/altruist coin.

    Vote out the religious right and the loony left if you want a free country. Otherwise your choices are Socialism or Socialism-Lite. They argue for the same damned socialism, only the degree is different.

    Report Post » Rights of Man  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:52am

      I did and I was a full blown NeoCon back then.
      I even bought into the 911 LIE until 2005 I voted
      for Bush twice, I hope God forgives me one day.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • bkeely
    Posted on February 15, 2011 at 10:52pm

    Freedom is fought for and often given away!
    =============================
    Buck
    http://www.***************
    Heirloom Seed ‘How God plants His garden’

    Report Post » TheWatcher  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:34pm

    If you See Something–Say something! If you see a lawmaker open his or her mouth he or she is lying–SAY something.

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • spreadcommonsensenot pc
    Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:31pm

    This is ALL a Ruge……………..this is aimed at “We The People”——-

    Report Post »  
  • Malachai
    Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:54pm

    Both Republicans and Democrats (and Tea Partiers) again show their true colors; they want bigger, more powerful government. When are people going to wake up and start electing more Constitutionalists like Ron Paul?

    Of course, it won’t work while Fox news continues to lie to slander Ron Paul. See here where they use an OLD tape to try to make it appear that “The people” dont’ like him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwo0Iyrh1Zk Of course, I’m sure The Blaze will cover this… I mean, any kind of gross dishonesty would be slammed if it were HuffPo, MSNBC, etc.

    Malachai  
    • cykonas
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 7:48am

      You are right. We can’t give anyone a pass. Just because Fox is, IMO, better than the others doesn’t mean that we should look away when we disagree with them. The Blaze too. They are all part of the media and the media has an agenda. In many cases they set up this false battle lines to distract those who aren’t careful to look behind the curtain.

      Report Post » cykonas  
  • Workforit
    Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:34pm

    Short term? I have been waiting for the blaze to give me an opportunity to response to this abortion we call the patriot act… You can bet your last dollar that the left elite will help what ever group it needs to to create the “need” for the renewal of this legislation.

    Bend over… this won’t hurt a bit America, we just want to protect you from yourselves.

    Report Post »  
    • Malachai
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:12pm

      I hope you realize that MANY Republicans and Tea Partiers (including Michelle Bachmann) voted for this…

      Report Post » Malachai  
    • Waltermelon
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:21pm

      Which is why they need to go, and go quickly…

      Report Post » Waltermelon  
    • Workforit
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:49pm

      You bet I do Mal…

      Report Post »  
    • Malachai
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 10:11pm

      Good. From the comment it sounded to me like you thought it was all/mostly just Dems or “The Left.” ANYONE, whether they be Republican, Democrat, Tea Party, Libratarian, Candle Stick Maker, or whatever, needs to be voted out if they voted for this and the other “Patriot” act extension.

      Report Post » Malachai  
    • cykonas
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 7:43am

      @Malachi
      This article is about the Senate bill. Michelle Bachmann is in the House of Representatives, although she did vote aye in their version of this extension bill. All of the Senate Dems who were present voted no along with two Republicans. They were Rand Paul (KY) and Mike Lee (UT). They are champions of our liberty.

      The same sentiment that you expressed applies though. Forget all the labels. They are for the sheeple. Your big “conservative” names in the Senate, DeMint, McConnell, Thune, Rubio are not our friends. They all voted for the bill. I think the tea party should now be called the T party, where the T is for traitor.

      Report Post » cykonas  
  • Whiskey Tango
    Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:11pm

    The federal government should secure our borders. This is a sad joke.

    Report Post »  
  • Rearden Steel
    Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:03pm

    Chairman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., “our law enforcement and intelligence agencies would lack important tools to protect this nation.”

    Protection from you is more inportant Ms. Feinstein.

    Report Post »  
  • republitarian
    Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:59pm

    “The short-term extension gives lawmakers a chance to review the measures that critics from both the right and left say are unconstitutional infringements on personal liberties.”

    We’ll see. If there is any common ground to be found with the left, this is it.

    Report Post » republitarian  
    • The Wizard
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:46pm

      Are you drunk?

      Report Post » The Wizard  
    • cykonas
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 7:09am

      I will apologize for this rather crude example up front. If I walked through your front door and proceeded to relieve myself on your living room carpet, would you take the time to review where we might be able to find common ground in a joint solution?

      I am tired of their excuses of “just one more time” while we study things. The PA is an abomination that has already been reauthorized and extended a number of times. God bless you if you can suffer their excuses. I cannot any longer. Conservatives my arse! Despots, nabobs and semi-dictators is more like it. DeMint, McConnell, Thune, Rubio (one of mine) are Conservatives? This is sad, really sad.

      Report Post » cykonas  
  • Waltermelon
    Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:37pm

    Any republican conservative that voted to extend this should be voted out of office. It isn’t just the far left that want to steal our liberty, it is also the neo-cons.

    Bush handed victory to muslim terrorists with the passage of the patriot act. We lost.

    Report Post » Waltermelon  
    • the_ancient
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:43pm

      It was not just the Patriot Act, that is part of it, but there is a LONG line of things

      This, to the TSA, even down to the Citizen that call the cops on a guy talking on a cell phone in a car because she thought the phone was a gun….

      “We the people” are to blame… We, as a group, even some so called conservatives are willing to give is essential liberty in exchange for protection from the terrorist, never asking who is going to protect them from the government.

      Report Post » the_ancient  
    • The Wizard
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:39pm

      George Bush did, in fact, give the cake to the terrorists regarding the Patriot Act. This kind of power given to those who do not ascribe to our liberties, but view them as obstacles, is suicidal. We must do everything in our power to stop this insanity. We are like children being lied to by alcoholic parents regarding the security this mess will bring us. They have now ruled that those nasty, inflamatory and sometimes life threatening entries about us in the NCIC do not even have to be factual. You have no right to know who said what; confront the facts; have discovery or due process under the law. Wake up America and stop this madness against us. ANY republican who voted for this needs to be removed from office asap and the rest put on notice that we are no longer slaves and idiots. We will not give another damn inch of our freedom away to make life easier for some overpaid, constitution hating government tyrant.

      Report Post » The Wizard  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 10:56pm

      bush WAS a terrorist…his administration took part in the crime of the century…the 9/11 and anthrax false flag operations…..it terrorized, didn’t it?…and it made many people many billions of dollars and cost america almost 5,000 of our finest and bravest, in iraq alone. how many thousand in afghanistan now? 3,000 lives in the towers and pentagon. how many have died from breathing in the toxic dust at ground zero? …is it a better world now? sure people can spin it and say…golly, aren‘t you glad sadam hussein isn’t around any more?….how stupid…don’t buy it….not that the marxist in cheif is any good either…sorry i get carried away….the patriot act. dumb dolts in congress, i apologize to any i may have offended.

      Report Post » riseandshine  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:14am

      Amen that is how I changed from a NeoCon
      to a Towertarian

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:37pm

    This Patriot Act entrusts way too much power in the hands of the Fed’s, and power once given is often harder to take back and as hard not to be abused with in the end.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:59pm

      Which would be why we must keep on the congress to take ANY and ALL powers AWAY from our government that interferes with the 4th amendment.. this one went under the radar.. no one knew it was coming up to reauthorized again.. I AM glad they only gave them the power short termed.. and they will be taking it up for changes hopefully in favor of our freedoms.. we have to keep our eyes wide open..we were told we would get to view the bills BEFORE they are voted on lets hope they do so.. I as well as the rest of you are disappointed they didn’t vote in congress to let it sunset.. but at least they were dumb enough to let it continue as long as Obama wanted it to..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:32am

      1st off they would have to actually want us to have rights.
      I think they wish we could be treated like the slaves of
      China.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:05am

      If you were a criminal banking cartel and have committed the
      crime of the century then you would need the patriot act
      for the slaves that realize the truth.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • the_ancient
    Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:36pm

    Yippeee, the DEA will be happy….

    Wont do nothing for safety or security against Terrorist, but the DEA can continue to spy and collect data with out fear of that pesky Constitution getting in the way

    Report Post » the_ancient  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:35am

      I am glad that many posters here are angry and realize the
      Patriot act for what it is.
      Vote Ron Paul 2012 he is the only one who really believes
      in the constitution Palin will turn into a super NeoCon if she
      is ever elected, just like Bachmann.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • J.C. McGlynn
    Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:36pm

    Still stepping on us. One of these days we are going to make them stop doing it.

    J.C. McGlynn  
    • Rearden Steel
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:01pm

      Well stated.

      Report Post »  
    • republitarian
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:06pm

      “Make no mistake, I intend to misbehave.” – Malcolm Reynolds

      Report Post » republitarian  
    • bertr
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:01pm

      “He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither.” -Benjamin Franklin

      Report Post » bertr  
    • jzs
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:21pm

      bertr – I’m with your and Franklin.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • GHill7.62
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 2:31am

      “God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion…. And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms…. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
      -Thomas Jefferson

      Report Post » GHill7.62  
    • GHill7.62
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 2:32am

      “How fortunate for leaders that men do not think.”-Adolf Hitler

      Report Post » GHill7.62  
    • Rice Water
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 7:36am

      Would‘ve been nice if you’d spoken up back in ‘01-’08.

      What’s an “Exension”?

      Report Post » Rice Water  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:29am

      Thanks Michele Constitution loving Bachmann is this what you are teaching
      the freshman in your constitution class ????
      http://www.infowars.com/tea-party-caucus-leader-bachmann-votes-for-patriot-act/
      they always say the opposite of their intentions.
      Bush was Not Going to be a Nation Builder ….
      Obama was going to Change things on wall st. and have an open govt.
      and Michele Bachmann is going to bring back the Constitution.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:44am

      Fourty four out of the 52 Republican members the official ‘Tea Party Caucus’ voted to renew expiring provisions of the Patriot Act on February 8th.

      Seven out of the 26 Republican Congressmen who voted NO on the Patriot Act yesterday are listed on Michelle Bachmann‘s official ’Tea Party Caucus’ list.
      The seven were Roscoe Bartlett [MD],Rob Bishop [UT], Paul Broun [GA], Tom Graves [GA], Kenny Marchant [TX], Tom McClintock [CA], and Denny Rehberg [MT].
      Doug Lamborn of Colorado, another Tea Party Caucus member, is one of five Republicans who did not vote on the bill.
      The official published list posted on Bachmann’s website includes 52 members. The list has not been updated since July 21, 2010. Some reps may consider themselves aligned with Tea party type values, but for one reason or another, refrain from joining the list.

      Congress approved the formation of the Caucus in July 2010. Caucuses are regarded as ‘semi-official’ Congressional organizations. There was originally some contention about who was a member and who was not, after Bachmann initially made the announcement last year. Apparently some Republicans assumed to be members did not want to appear on the list Others were uncertain if they wanted to be on it. John Boehner, who later became House Majority Speaker, did not want to be on the list. Boehner, from Ohio, was first sworn into Congress Jan 3, 1985.

      Ron Paul, considered by many to be the ideological founder of the modern day tea party movement, is not a member of the caucus. Out of the 87 new Republican Congressman and 13 new GOP Senators who were sworn into their first terms last month, it is not known how many consider themselves tea partiers, since there is no updated list.

      Justin Amash, a tea party canddiate from Michigan who just began his first term, was one of the 26 GOP mavericks who voted no on the bill, which is considered by many to be unecessary and tyrannical.

      http://www.examiner.com/la-county-libertarian-in-los-angeles/44-tea-party-caucus-members-voted-to-renew-patriot-act

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:04am

      We need to hold these reps accountable, they think you are too lazy
      to keep up the heat.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 10:20am

      Rice Water

      LOL…fallacious tu quo que argument…typical leftist.

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • democratgirl
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 10:49am

      Prophetic Times: White House using technology to bypass First Amendment

      The First Amendment to the US Constitution reads: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” These words are often described as the central protection to a free republic. The combination of government policies, the advancement of technology, and the exploitation of technolgy is well on the way to undermining the guardian of truth and free expression as commanded by the First Amendment. An example is a curious attack on the First Amendment free speech clause from the White House.

      The White House has exploited expertly the free speech indigenous to the internet. ABC News claims that the White House in doing so is limiting free speech. For example, ABC says the signing of the recent START treaty with Russia and the Post-State of the Union cabinet meeting were closed to the news media, instead posting them on the web. ABC says the White House, by utilizing its internet juggernaut to promote its views in a news format, bypassed the traditional filter of critical review and coverage by the news media. In essence, ABC says the White House and is reporting its own political spin through its online assets while restricting the news media.

      In this case, the policies of the White House are heading toward a state controlled media. White House spokesman Josh Earnest indicates there is a White House this is definitely a White House strategy, but he couches it in words characterizing service to citizens: “We‘re striving to not just have a passive website where people can read about what’s happening but create a method of interaction and feedback.” This approach is in line with Bible prophecy. Daniel 12:4 says that in the end times, “many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase.” 2 Timothy 3:7 says that men in the last days will be “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

      Knowledge, truth and freedom are inextricably tied together. Jesus said in John 8:31, 32, “If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” The Biblical principles of knowledge of God, His truth, and freedom are set forth in the First Amendment. But we know that in the end times, technology will advance so fast that truth will be hard to ascertain. Technology will be used to withhold the truth and cause deception. We must be ever vigilant to remain spiritually and physically free by discerning and demanding truth.

      Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
      Bill Wilson
      Word of Life Ministry
      http://www.dailyjot.com

      Report Post » ChildOfTheKing  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 12:55pm

      THEY ARE VOTING today we can still stop them

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • Rice Water
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:54pm

      @IntheKnowOG

      It’s actually valid in this case. If the outrage on this story was genuinely based on civil liberties infringements, you would be correct. However, it‘s pretty obvious that the majority here only has a problem when it’s Obama that’s giving them the patdown (insert Clinton joke here).

      Report Post » Rice Water  

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