Posted on 12/16/2005 9:47:11 AM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - The Senate on Friday rejected attempts to reauthorize several provisions of the USA Patriot Act as infringing too much on Americans' privacy, dealing a major defeat to President Bush and Republican leaders.
In a crucial vote Friday morning as Congress raced toward adjournment, the bill's Senate supporters were not able to garner the 60 votes necessary to overcome a threatened filibuster by Sens. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and their allies. The final vote was 52-47
Bush, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and GOP congressional leaders had lobbied fiercely to make most of the expiring Patriot Act provisions permanent, and add new safeguards and expiration dates to the two most controversial parts: roving wiretaps and secret warrants for books, records and other items from businesses, hospitals and organizations such as libraries.
Making most of the act's provisions permanent was a priority for both the Bush administration and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill before Congress adjourns for the year.
The House on Wednesday passed a House-Senate compromise bill to renew the Act that supporters say added significant safeguards to the law.
But the law's critics, such as Feingold and Craig, say they don't want the Patriot Act to expire — they just want enough time to improve the bill to the point where it doesn't infringe on American liberties. Bush, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and House Speaker Dennis Hastert have said they won't accept a short-term extension of the law.
"In the war on terror, we cannot afford to be without these vital tools for a single moment," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said earlier today before the Senate vote.
Congress passed the Patriot Act overwhelmingly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The law expanded the government's surveillance and prosecutorial powers against suspected terrorists, their associates and financiers.
The bill's opponents say the original act was rushed into law, and Congress should take more time now to make sure the rights of innocent Americans are safeguarded before making most of the expiring provisions permanent.
They say the current Patriot Act gives government too much power to investigate people's private lives.
The AP is trying despeartely to paint this as a Bush defeat. The battle is on, not over. Bush will win this one.
Just 2 days ago..
House Approves Extension of Patriot Act ^
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1540419/posts
That they are and don't forget there's some cheering on the right too.
Damn close to treason if you ask me. Feingold's BS about "just wanting sufficient time" falls flat when you realize just how much time they've had since passage of the original bill to iron these things out. You're right - a big Bronx cheer from Al Quaeda...and some wonder why they have no respect for, or fear of, our government.
Rush is really hot on this...calls the senate democrats and republicans who vote for this despicable...and frightening
Bush will steamroll the senators on this one.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is seen at the National Press Club in Washington, December 8, 2005. Frist said on Thursday he expected the Senate would overcome opposition and pass this week a renewal of the USA Patriot Act, a centerpiece of President Bush's war on terrorism. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
This is a good thing. Our focus should be on securing our borders instead of invading the privacy of Americans.
My solution: Allow the legislatures and governors of each state opt in for Patriot Act coverage. States not opting in forfeit Federal aid should a terrorist act occur in their jurisdiction.
But, somehow the truth gets through.
The American people consistently see the defeatocrats as soft on defense.
This action by the defeatocrats in the Senate re-inforces that perception.
No matter how much the media lies, and lies, and lies, and lies, and lies, and lies, and lies, and lies about it.
Exactly how does the Patriot Act invade the privacy of Americans? Give me specific examples because I'm very much interested.
You left out the libertarians.
Al Qaeda Bill of Rights & now the Patriot Act going to expire. The US Senate is doing themselves proud.
It has been several years since it's approved. So, why didn't they propose the alternative and discuss it on the floor?
Feingold speaks garbage about 'a chill going up his spine' when he hears about the government taping phones or looking at emails of Americans. Well, I plan to let Mr. Feingold know that Al Quada and terrorists send chills up my spine. We need to renew the patriot act.....it helps, at least a bit, to keep us safer.
Bush can't win this one or win anything in congress.
Harry Reid controls congress. You need 60 votes to get anything done in congress.
Harry Reid will block any illegal immigration strict measures too.
Harry Reid controls washington not bush. How can Bush win this one. You need 60 votes in the senate.
Can we stop the lie that the republicans control congress. That couldn't be farther from the truth. You need 60 votes to get anything done in the senate which gives all the power to reid.
There is no way on God's green earth the demonrats will continue to fillibuster the Patriot act til anywhere near the election. It's suicide.
And when there is a terrorist attack just before the 2006 election the Dems can blame the Republicans for not renewing the Patriot Act.
Appropriate name, Binary Boy.....everything has to be all or nothing.
Tell me, enlightened one, how exactly is our focus on invading the privacy of Americans through the Patriot Act.
Militant
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