Congress Extends Patriot Act to February 3

The U.S. Senate last night voted to go along with the House of Representatives in extending key provisions the terror-fighting USA Patriot Act until Feb. 3, 2006, so that lawmakers can consider civil liberties safeguards to be added to the law which was set to expire at the end of the year.

Though he had objected to the temporary extension, and favors making the Patriot Act permanent, President Bush is expected to sign the temporary extension.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-Wisconsin) has urged the Senate to approve a compromise version of the Patriot Act that would permanently renew the law.

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