House rejects measure that would extend key Patriot Act provisions through December

The Washington Post ^ | 02/08/2011 | Felicia Sonmez

[speciallybland]

A measure to extend key provisions of the Patriot Act counterterrorism surveillance law through December failed the House Tuesday night, with more than two-dozen Republicans bucking their party to oppose the measure.

The House measure, which was sponsored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and required a two-thirds majority for passage, failed on a 277-to-148 vote. Twenty-six Republicans voted with 122 Democrats to oppose the measure, while 67 Democrats voted with 210 Republicans to back it. Ten members did not vote.

The measure would have extended three key provisions of the Patriot Act that are set to expire on Monday, Feb. 28, unless Congress moves to reauthorize them. One of the provisions authorizes the FBI to continue using roving wiretaps on surveillance targets; the second allows the government to access "any tangible items," such as library records, in the course of surveillance; and the third is a "lone wolf" provision of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act that allows for the surveillance of targets who are not connected to an identified terrorist group.

[okie01]

Apologies for the mistaken identity...and the distraction.

[Del Rapier]

Never again.

[clee1]

I’m against the Patriot Act as well. It is an intolerable advance of government powers that has NOT made us safer.

Scrap it.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

FYI — the House Rules Committee met Wednesday in an emergency session. The voted 7 to 2 to pass the Patriot Act extension under a closed rule. meaning no amendments or points of order. They allowed for one hour of debate total, and scheduled the vote for today, Thursday, where it will need only a simple majority, which it obviously has. It will pass and go to the Senate or the President today.

[Yet_Again]

I figured they would do that. Too bad.