USA Patriot Act

Spy powers: Extending, improving Patriot Act is the right goal

A Lansing State Journal editorial

"Congress has roughly another month to thoughtfully debate the USA Patriot Act; what it should keep to bolster the nation's security, and those provisions it should discard because they are a threat to civil liberties.

Late last week Congress agreed to extend the act until Feb. 3, and the White House has reluctantly agreed to the extension.

This temporary extension is a reasonable alternative to President Bush's preference: enshrining the entire act permanently in federal law.

Republican congressional leaders fought hard for the president's position, but an unlikely coalition of senators amassed a filibuster attempt, and Republican leaders relented. Now, perhaps, there can be a full and needed airing of the Patriot Act's strengths and weaknesses.
Earlier last week, the White House said it had prevented Senate Democrats from "killing the Patriot Act." That's inaccurate on at least two counts."

(Full editorial at Lansing State Journal)

Links:

EPIC:
Congress Enacts One-Month Patriot Act ExtensionFollowing widespread public debate, intense negotiation, and political maneuvering, the Congress has extended the Patriot Act until February 3, 2006. More information about the Patriot Act can be found at EPIC's FISA page, Patriot Act page, Patriot Act Sunset page, and Patriot Act FOIA page. (Dec. 23)

Daily Herald: In our View: Continue reviews of Patriot Act

El Diario (New York): Spying and the Patriot Act