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.
"Exactly how does the Patriot Act invade the privacy of Americans? Give me specific examples because I'm very much interested."
Um, because it was specifically designed as a "temporary" measure to get around privacy and constitutional issues? Is there any doubt about that, or were they getting around farm subsidies in the "Patriot" act.
Anyway, how would you know? Google "National Security Letter"
What do these provisions of the Patriot Act have to do with fighting terrorism?
What is the 'Al-Qaeda bill of rights'?
Right, lets say we secure the borders NOW, TODAY, which I agree we should do. What are we supposed to do about the scum that infilitrated our country before the border was secured? Say, "oh well, they don't count." I know, the next time an attack happens, we can just pretend that it isn't happening and just pat ourselves on the back for closing down fortress America.
Bottom line, the Patriot Act extends tools to the feds to fight terrorism that are available to fight drug dealers. We have to take care of the reality we face here, and now, not the reality we wish we had.
'Dems can blame Republicans if there's terrorist attack'
exactly. it's really difficult to understand why ALL Americans are not fighting back against these Democrats who are more interested in their personal power and bringing down President Bush than they are in doing what's right for America. It's ludicrous to hear Ted Kennedy demand the President answer 3 questions about taping calls of Americans...why doesn't ole Ted answer the question about why he swam to saftey and didn't try to help poor Mary Jo.
Bush uses the "national security" hammer each and every election cycle. How do you think he has increased the GOP #s each time (which is UNPRECEDENTED in case you did not know).
The dems have given him TONS of ammo, with the last year of carping defeatist, treasonous bile. This Patriot Act crap is only gonna give him more ammo.
The Dems play checkers. Bush plays chess. And alot of conservativews don't even know it either.
I completely disagree with you. Bush has hammered them over the past month, and he will now. But, he has to get out there today and make a statement, not wait.
The dims didn't filibuster. They only threatened to. Why don't the republicans force a true filibuster. That would shine a bright light on their seditious actions!
Bush will get his way on the Patriot Act, with little compromise.
The logical fallacies here are at least correlation vs. causation (did PA cause this or is it coincidence), oversimplification (there can be many causes), suppressed evidence (no other possibilities given) and appeal to force ("It's keeping you safe, so accept it").
It's interesting that since Howard Dean became head of the DNC, there hasn't been a major terrorist act in the US.
I understand now. Thanks. I knew there had to be reason for that vote.
"Right, lets say we secure the borders NOW, TODAY, which I agree we should do. What are we supposed to do about the scum that infilitrated our country before the border was secured? Say, "oh well, they don't count.""
Um, the Patriot Act does nothing about that.
"I know, the next time an attack happens, we can just pretend that it isn't happening and just pat ourselves on the back for closing down fortress America."
Patriot Act would have done nothing to stop 9/11.
"Bottom line, the Patriot Act extends tools to the feds to fight terrorism that are available to fight drug dealers."
Oh, it's much more than that. Much more.
"We have to take care of the reality we face here, and now, not the reality we wish we had."
They can get a warrant. Always can find a judge for that. Patriot Act wouldn't have changed the reality. We were lied to about the patiriot act, it's not limited to terrorism. And the limited info the Feds released shows its more used for any "crime" involving exchange of money.
Think, why did they call it the "Patriot" act. Because the proponents new it wasn't. It was sold as a "temporary" measure. Remember? Temporary. Luckily Total Information Awareness was scotched by protest. I think Bush might try to bring it back.
Welcome to the National Security State.
I guess it really will take a mushroom cloud on US soil before these idiots can get their act together.
Well, these groupies are just following the lead of their political hero who, in a meeting with GOP congressional leaders, was quoted as saying: "Stop throwing the Constitution in my face. It's just a goddamned piece of paper". Now these idiots are trying to void the Constitution with another worthless piece of paper. Political theater is such insanity.
That is simply amazing. President Bush gets a wake up call, after 5 years, that he needs to speak to "we the people", and suddenly he is the the "HAMMER".
That's akin to Lieberman supporting the WOT and Conservatives thinking he should be given the keys to the kingdom.
They are the same....no difference. The cloture vote means nothing to me...what matters is results. we OWN the house, the senate, the white house....and the DEMS and so called Repubs like McCain have been steering the wheel. This country is doomed if we don't lock our borders and/or torture terrorists to get info....doomed doomed doomed.
I have never been more disgusted with Republicans and Bush for not standing up to McCain on this stupid torture amendment as well as killing the Patriot Act.
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