Posted on 11/18/2014 5:31:17 PM PST by knak
Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked a sweeping overhaul of the once-secret National Security Agency program that collects records of Americans’ phone calls in bulk.
Democrats and a handful of Republicans who supported the measure fell two votes short of the 60 votes they needed to take up the legislation, which sponsors named the U.S.A. Freedom Act.
Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, worked hard to defeat the bill, which had the support of the Obama administration and a coalition of technology companies, including Apple, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo.
“This is the worst possible time to be tying our hands behind our backs,” Mr. McConnell said before the vote, expressing the concerns of those who argued that the program was a vital tool in the fight against terrorism.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Here’s hoping that they oppose overhaul because they plan to abolish...
Paging Rand Paul...
The Constitution, Mr Yertle, ties your hands behind your back, but since 0 supported the bill, it was probably just going to divert spying away from terrorists and toward the Tea Party.
Spying on Americans isn't a conservative value.
/johnny
U.S.A. Freedom Act
Yeah right. I’ve found anything they pass that sounds good actually does the opposite.
Did they have specific objections against this bill or do they think everything is hunky-dory? If they think everything is hunky-dory they are on the wrong side.
Correct. This is also a VERY hot issue for young voters. The GOP once again shoots itself in the foot.
“This is the worst possible time to be tying our hands behind our backs...”
What do you mean, “our” hands?
But not American citizens in CONUS, Alaska and HI.
/johnny
Does anyone know exactly what is in this bill? Has anyone read it?
If Obama wants it, it can’t be good.
/johnny
The reason Senator Paul voted against it is because of the provisions that extend portions of the Patriot Act through 2017. Take those provisions out and he votes with Senators Cruz and Lee (whose hearts are in the right places on this one and I completely understand why they voted for it).
I believe the sections of the Patriot Act extended by this bill would have been section 206 (roving surveillance authority) and section 215 (access to records/other items under FISA).
That's why we need conservatives, and not Republicans or Democrats or other liberals in charge.
/johnny
I hope that everyone is really seeing that the republicans are just as much a part of the establishment as the democrats. They are planning nothing more than continuing the socialist anti-American agenda.
From another similar story:
“Last week, Senator Rand Paul, the Kentucky civil libertarian and potential Republican presidential contender, said the USA Freedom Act was too weak for him to support. He is instead urging the expiration of certain surveillance authorities under the Patriot Act next year, as he did unsuccessfully in 2011. He voted against cloture on Tuesday night. “
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/nov/18/usa-freedom-act-republicans-block-bill
>> Does anyone know exactly what is in this bill? Has anyone read it?
Doubtful few no much about anything related this perceived scandal.
Overhaul under the Obama Admin = Very Bad Idea
/johnny
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