[OneWingedShark]

It was, however, a surprisingly close vote… even if there is a vote-rigging puppeteer, this indicates just how unpopular the program is.
I do wonder however, how the vote would have turned out if the congressmen voted their own consciences.

[rochester_veteran]

It was, however, a surprisingly close vote… even if there is a vote-rigging puppeteer, this indicates just how unpopular the program is.
I do wonder however, how the vote would have turned out if the congressmen "voted their own consciences".

Yes, it was close. Here's the graphic for the breakdown of the vote:

Liberty vs security is a continuing issue and there's a lot of Republicans (and Democrats too, but we already knew that) who ignore the following advice:

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
--Benjamin Franklin