Senate Rejects Patriot Act Extension

According to the Associated Presson YahooNews, The Senate refused early today to reauthorize major portions of the USA Patriot Act after critics complained they infringed too much on Americans’ privacy and liberty.

Sixteen Patriot Act provisions are set to expire on Dec. 31, but the expirations have enormous exceptions.

The bill’s Senate supporters were not able to get the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. The final vote was 52-47.

Critics got a boost from a New York Times report that said President Bush authorized the National Security Agency to monitor the international phone calls and international e-mails of hundreds — perhaps thousands — of people inside the United States.

CIO took at close look at the Patriot Act’s data-sharing policy in 2003.

–Janice Brand