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Privacy concerns help opponents strike major blow against flawed legislation
(Washington) The Senate voted today to reject the reauthorization of several components of the USA Patriot Act, on the grounds that many such provisions violate the basic right of Americans to privacy.
In the crucial vote, Patriot Act supporters were unable to obtain the necessary 60 votes to defeat the filibuster proposed by Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), and Senator Larry Craig (R-ID). President Bush, Attorney General Gonzales, and several GOP congressional leaders engaged in substantial lobbying efforts to make most provisions of the Patriot Act permanent. Additionally, this lobbying sought to safeguard many of these provisions against future attacks in Congress.
Among the most controversial and hotly contested implications of the Patriot Act are roving wiretaps and secret warrants for books, business documents, and confidential personal records. If a compromise is not reached, these 16 provisions of the USA Patriot Act expire on December 31. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist changed his vote at the final minute, realizing that Patriot Act critics were gaining the upper-hand in the standoff.
“The Patriot Act is an under-handed attempt by the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress to expand the size and power of the federal government, and to gain unprecedented authority to snoop into the personal lives of Americans,” stated Shane Cory, chief of staff for the Libertarian Party. “This legislation, while branded as a necessity in America’s fight against terrorism, demonstrates that President Bush and other GOP leaders have no respect for either freedom or privacy that the American people cherish. This legislation should never have been passed, and absolutely should not be re-authorized.”
(Washington) The Senate voted today to reject the reauthorization of several components of the USA Patriot Act, on the grounds that many such provisions violate the basic right of Americans to privacy.
In the crucial vote, Patriot Act supporters were unable to obtain the necessary 60 votes to defeat the filibuster proposed by Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), and Senator Larry Craig (R-ID). President Bush, Attorney General Gonzales, and several GOP congressional leaders engaged in substantial lobbying efforts to make most provisions of the Patriot Act permanent. Additionally, this lobbying sought to safeguard many of these provisions against future attacks in Congress.
Among the most controversial and hotly contested implications of the Patriot Act are roving wiretaps and secret warrants for books, business documents, and confidential personal records. If a compromise is not reached, these 16 provisions of the USA Patriot Act expire on December 31. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist changed his vote at the final minute, realizing that Patriot Act critics were gaining the upper-hand in the standoff.
“The Patriot Act is an under-handed attempt by the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress to expand the size and power of the federal government, and to gain unprecedented authority to snoop into the personal lives of Americans,” stated Shane Cory, chief of staff for the Libertarian Party. “This legislation, while branded as a necessity in America’s fight against terrorism, demonstrates that President Bush and other GOP leaders have no respect for either freedom or privacy that the American people cherish. This legislation should never have been passed, and absolutely should not be re-authorized.”
