Senate Passes Patriot Act

Renews Expiring Provisions
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate on Friday passed a bill reauthorizing the USA Patriot Act, which gave the government new powers to hunt down suspected terrorists after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Several provisions of the 2001 law are set to expire at the end of this year, and President George W. Bush has urged Congress to make it permanent.

Senate Approves Partial Renewal of Patriot Act
Measure Would Limit Search and Seizure Powers
The Senate approved legislation last night that would make permanent most provisions of the USA Patriot Act anti-terrorism law while placing new limitations on the government's use of secret search and surveillance powers. The vote, by unanimous consent in the GOP-controlled Senate, marks a defeat for the Bush administration, which campaigned heavily for total renewal of the law and opposed efforts to enact any new restrictions on government powers. The vote sets up fall negotiations between the Senate and the House, where lawmakers have approved legislation with fewer restrictions. Posted by Editor at July 30, 2005 03:51 AM