Senate Republicans Block Sweeping Overhaul of N.S.A. Program

nyt ^ | 11/18/14 | savage & peters

[Kay Ludlow]

Here’s hoping that they oppose overhaul because they plan to abolish...

[The Antiyuppie]

Paging Rand Paul...

[demshateGod]

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.

[JRandomFreeper]

“This is the worst possible time to be tying our hands behind our backstrying to uphold the Constitution” Mr. McConnell said.

Spying on Americans isn't a conservative value.

/johnny

[sheana]

U.S.A. Freedom Act

Yeah right. I’ve found anything they pass that sounds good actually does the opposite.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

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.

[Straight Vermonter]

Spying on Americans isn't a conservative value.

Correct. This is also a VERY hot issue for young voters. The GOP once again shoots itself in the foot.

[oblomov]

“This is the worst possible time to be tying our hands behind our backs...”

What do you mean, “our” hands?

[JRandomFreeper]

I have NO problem with the federal government field stripping the freedoms of foreign non-Americans if required to keep us safe.

But not American citizens in CONUS, Alaska and HI.

/johnny

[Girlene]

From the article:

With the bill’s defeat, the Senate faces a hard deadline for new legislation since the legal basis for the phone records program, a provision of the Patriot Act, expires in June.

After that, when the 90-day orders to phone companies requiring them to turn over their customers’ records expire, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court would be unable to issue a new round of orders.

Doing nothing now might not be a bad idea since the ability to collect them will expire in June. Somehow, I doubt McConnell will allow this to happen, though.

[Fresh Wind]

Does anyone know exactly what is in this bill? Has anyone read it?

If Obama wants it, it can’t be good.

[JRandomFreeper]

We do need a spy agency like the NSA to keep us safe. We just don't need them spying on Americans.

/johnny

[beanshirts]

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).

[JRandomFreeper]

Republicans completely ignored the Constitution with the Patriot act.

That's why we need conservatives, and not Republicans or Democrats or other liberals in charge.

/johnny

[Revel]

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.

[knak]

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

[Gene Eric]

>> Does anyone know exactly what is in this bill? Has anyone read it?

Doubtful few no much about anything related this perceived scandal.

[molson209]

Overhaul under the Obama Admin = Very Bad Idea

[JRandomFreeper]

The Patriot Act = Very Bad Idea.

/johnny