Senate Passes Short-Term Extension of Patriot Act
- Posted on February 15, 2011 at 6:55pm by
Meredith Jessup
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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.”



















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tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 1:24pmthese are the same NeoCons that put people in prison
Report Post »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.
TERMLIMITSNOW
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 3:01pmyou’re OK tower, you make me laugh me often too
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 12:17pmFunny how quiet it gets when Michele Bachmann is exposed as a Hypocrite
Report Post »cykonas
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 12:37pmor 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
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 12:40pmBy 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 »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 1:19pmthat is a great idea !
Report Post »keep up the good work cykonas
tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:38amPaid posters will not touch this one, the blaze wants this one on the back burner
Report Post »I say we move up the numbers.
tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:19amwhat happened to SINSTA ? I hope he’s not banned for telling the truth.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:12amI wonder if Rand Paul can do anything , like a filibuster in the Senate ?
Report Post »cykonas
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:27amFilibuster is very difficult to accomplish when in the minority Party.
Report Post »xm-1774u
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:01amhey congress …no!
Report Post »cykonas
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:09amFor 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 »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:35amhouse PA story, I think most were just happy it failed
Report Post »we will see how this version does today.
cykonas
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 11:49am@Tower
Report Post »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.
goatkid
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 7:37amgive 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 6:33amAnyone 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 6:09amInteresting 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 »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:52amI did and I was a full blown NeoCon back then.
Report Post »I even bought into the 911 LIE until 2005 I voted
for Bush twice, I hope God forgives me one day.
bkeely
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 10:52pmFreedom is fought for and often given away!
Report Post »=============================
Buck
http://www.***************
Heirloom Seed ‘How God plants His garden’
tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:18amI replant from last years seeds.
Report Post »TERMLIMITSNOW
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 2:57pmindoor or outdoor?
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:34pmIf you See Something–Say something! If you see a lawmaker open his or her mouth he or she is lying–SAY something.
Report Post »spreadcommonsensenot pc
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:31pmThis is ALL a Ruge……………..this is aimed at “We The People”——-
Report Post »Malachai
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:54pmBoth 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.
cykonas
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 7:48amYou 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 »Workforit
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:34pmShort 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 9:12pmI hope you realize that MANY Republicans and Tea Partiers (including Michelle Bachmann) voted for this…
Report Post »Waltermelon
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:21pmWhich is why they need to go, and go quickly…
Report Post »Workforit
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:49pmYou bet I do Mal…
Report Post »Malachai
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 10:11pmGood. 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 »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 »Whiskey Tango
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:11pmThe federal government should secure our borders. This is a sad joke.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:16amyes from Congress
Report Post »Rearden Steel
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:03pmChairman 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 »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:36amShe is a Zionist
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:15amwhat do you expect from these agents of foreign powers ?
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 »The Wizard
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:46pmAre you drunk?
Report Post »cykonas
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 7:09amI 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 »Waltermelon
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:37pmAny 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 »the_ancient
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:43pmIt 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 Wizard
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:39pmGeorge 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 »riseandshine
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 10:56pmbush 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 »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:14amAmen that is how I changed from a NeoCon
Report Post »to a Towertarian
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:37pmThis 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 »independentvoteril
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:59pmWhich 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 »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:32am1st off they would have to actually want us to have rights.
Report Post »I think they wish we could be treated like the slaves of
China.
tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:05amIf you were a criminal banking cartel and have committed the
Report Post »crime of the century then you would need the patriot act
for the slaves that realize the truth.
the_ancient
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:36pmYippeee, 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 »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:35amI am glad that many posters here are angry and realize the
Report Post »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.
J.C. McGlynn
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:36pmStill stepping on us. One of these days we are going to make them stop doing it.
Rearden Steel
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:01pmWell stated.
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:06pm“Make no mistake, I intend to misbehave.” – Malcolm Reynolds
Report Post »bertr
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:01pm“He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither.” -Benjamin Franklin
Report Post »jzs
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:21pmbertr – I’m with your and Franklin.
Report Post »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.”
Report Post »-Thomas Jefferson
GHill7.62
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 2:32am“How fortunate for leaders that men do not think.”-Adolf Hitler
Report Post »Rice Water
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 7:36amWould‘ve been nice if you’d spoken up back in ‘01-’08.
What’s an “Exension”?
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:29amThanks Michele Constitution loving Bachmann is this what you are teaching
Report Post »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.
tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:44amFourty 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
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:04amWe need to hold these reps accountable, they think you are too lazy
Report Post »to keep up the heat.
IntheKnowOG
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 10:20amRice Water
LOL…fallacious tu quo que argument…typical leftist.
Report Post »democratgirl
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 10:49amProphetic 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!
Report Post »Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
http://www.dailyjot.com
tower7femacamp
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 12:55pmTHEY ARE VOTING today we can still stop them
Report Post »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 »