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Patriot Act renewal fails in Senate

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Do you mind the government encroaching upon basic civil liberties such as privacy?
Yes.
62%
 62%  [ 5 ]
No.
37%
 37%  [ 3 ]
Total Votes : 8

i_am_mine
Quote:
Patriot Act renewal fails in Senate
GOP fights to save provisions before end-of-year deadline


Friday, December 16, 2005

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Senate on Friday rejected efforts to renew expiring provisions of the Patriot Act, dealing a major blow to President Bush and the Republican leadership.

Senators on both sides of the aisle argued that some of the act's provisions infringe on civil rights. The bipartisan group proposed a three-month extension to continue debate and amend certain provisions, but the Senate also rejected that proposal Friday.

The Senate needed 60 votes to override a filibuster and end debate, which is called "invoking cloture." Cloture would have brought the Patriot Act to a final vote, allowing the Senate to renew it by a simple majority.

But only 52 senators voted to cut off debate; 47 voted against cloture.

As the Senate gathered Friday to debate whether the government had abused its authority, a major news story played a critical role.

The New York Times reported Friday that Bush, months after the September 11 attacks, "secretly authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans and others inside the United States to search for evidence of terrorist activity without the court-approved warrants ordinarily required for domestic spying, according to government officials."

The report was "very, very (problematic), if not devastating" to the renewal effort, according to Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, who helped negotiate a compromise with House leaders on extending the provisions.

During Friday's session, senators held up copies of the New York Times report as a sign that the government could not be trusted with all the broad powers laid out in the Patriot Act. (Read about the report)

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, said he had been unsure the night before how he would vote. "Today's revelation that the government listened in on thousands of phone conversations without getting a warrant is shocking and has greatly influenced my vote," he said. "Today's revelation makes it very clear that we have to be very careful. Very careful."

Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wisconsin, who voted against the original Patriot Act but lead efforts to filibuster the current version, said, "I can't imagine a more shocking example of an abuse of power."

When it comes to discussion of the Patriot Act, Feingold said lawmakers must "come together" to simultaneously give the government the authority it needs "and protect the rights and freedoms of innocent citizens."

"We are a democracy -- let's have checks and balances," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, in an impassioned speech. "Let us have a government of checks and balances."

Republicans who voted against cloture included Sens. Chuck Hagel, John Sununu, Lisa Murkowski, and Larry Craig.

"I urge calm and sensitivity to the fundamental civil liberties of our country," said Craig.

Sununu said the government had provided no "substantive" material to show how proposed changes to some of the provisions could in any way undermine or weaken the government's ability to fight terrorism.
Ressurrector
Good I am glad it failed. hehehe
VincentBlack
So the patriot act is going to be dissapearing soon? This would make me very happy.
crimsonessence
i am glad too. I think things are getting a bit out of hand. It seems that the govenment has been pushing bounderies quite a bit, to say the least. mabe taking out rights away slowly.. Im no conspiracy fanatic.. I just dont see a reasonable way to control terorism. I mean, how can you stop terrorism without seriously intruding on our lives? You can use your imagination, its not too hard to create dangerous chemicals etc.. to hurt people. There havent been any attacks like this.. and what is stopping them (terrorists)? things are shady indeed.
Bondings
Great news! Only one problem, I voted for the wrong option. Confused
tribe
None of you guys read into this stuff. It was FILLABUSTERED! It will go back on the voting back soon and will be passed. The Democrats just keep talking and talkin bull for nothing since there daily news; aka the NY Times; had to spread the word.

And I don't mind if they spy on me; if it will help stop terrorists; DO IT!
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