House Votes to Extend Patriot Act to Feb. 3

Looks like some more congressional compromise will needed to extend the life of those 16 controversial provisions of the Patriot Act. Less than 24 hours after the Senate voted to extend the terror-fighting law for 6 months, the House voted to extend it only until February 3, 2006. The Senate is expected to vote to a agree on the February 3 extension Thursday night.

The shorter extension was sought by House Republicans who hope to eventually make the 16 provisions permanent.

At issue is an effort to strike a balance in the Patriot Act between national security and civil liberties, an effort with suffered a major setback when it was revealed that President Bush had authorized surveillance of Americans with suspected ties to terrorists without seeking a court order.

The version of the Patriot Act now being considered by Congress features 30 additional civil liberties safeguards, according to the Department of Justice.

Also See:
Bipartisan Group of Senators Block Patriot Act Reauthorization
Bush Defends Eavesdropping, Patriot Act
Bush Promises to Continue Secret Eavesdropping
Justice Dept. Touts New Civil Liberty Safeguards in Patriot Act