Posted on 05/26/2011 5:19:38 AM PDT by marktwain
Washington (CNN)-In a rare public display of political and personal acrimony, freshman Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky squared off Wednesday with the powerful Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Tempers flared on the Senate floor over how many amendments Paul could offer to a measure extending the main anti-terrorism surveillance law enacted after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
Key provisions of that law – the Patriot Act - are due to expire Friday, and the dispute between the two senators threatens to cause a brief lapse of the law. If that happens "it could have dire consequences for out national security," warned Reid, D-Nevada.
"The national security of the United States is at stake, and the junior senator from Kentucky is complaining that he has not been able to offer amendments," said Reid, who supports extending the Patriot Act provisions.
"When the clock strikes midnight tomorrow, we would be giving terrorists the opportunity to plot attacks against our country, undetected," Reid added.
A furious Paul raced to the floor to respond to what he called a "scurrilous accusation."
"I've been accused of wanting to allow terrorists to have weapons to attack America," said Paul, a leading figure in the conservative Tea Party movement. "To be attacked of such a belief when I'm here to discuss and debate the constitutionality of the Patriot Act is offensive and I find it personally insulting."
The disagreement focuses on how many amendments to the bill Paul is allowed to offer, in particular, one aimed at preventing warrantless access to some gun records.
"They are petrified to vote on issues of guns because they know that a lot of people in America favor the Second Amendment to own guns and want to protect it,"
(Excerpt) Read more at politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com ...
Yes, it could because right now the Patriot act not only does nothing to enhance our security it takes away many of our freedoms. This act should never have become reality and should be dumped post haste, of course it won't be but it should be.
“does nothing to enhance our security”
Just because nobody has explained classified details to you, doesn’t mean your conclusions are correct.
No he's not. The MSM and socialists want to portray him in that role though because he, like his liberaltarian father, is an embarrassment to conservatives on too many issues.
Unless it's a Republican bill. Then there is no limit to the number of "reasonable" amendments.
My conclusions are correct. You, and others like you, are willing to trade your freedoms for a will o’ the wisp act that doesn’t enhance security but does rob us of our freedoms and will only grow worse over time. Homeland security needs to be dumped also, another freedom robbing idea from Bush the RINO.
Pistols at 10 paces.
If dueling was still allowed, there would be many fewer lies told by our elected officials.
Such as?
(Please include some links to back up your accusations.)
I like this guy! Rand not Harry. Take it to these traitors. Stand up for yourself. Harry Reid is an embarrassment to the human race.
Yeah, it’s a real embarrassment to fight for our God give right as free people & the 4th amendment.
One other reason to love the Patriot Act: CAIR hates it!
“When the clock strikes midnight tomorrow, we would be giving terrorists the opportunity to plot attacks against our country, undetected,” Reid added.
Mother......The Democrats have been trying to help the terrorists since before 9/11 and now they blame Paul for doing what they’ve been trying to do foreever. Reid you old cock-eyed two-faced codger.
Politics is just so sleazy. It doesn't matter what you like like or don't like -- it just matters that you oppose whatever your opponent supports.
So you are supporting Harry Reid in this then?
You are WRONG.
Information gained under The Patriot Act has allowed us to stop Terrorist attacks here and abroad.
Those who give up liberty for security receive and deserve neither.
Respect our rights FIRST.
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