PATRIOT Act extension defeated in Senate

According to the Associated Press, “[t]he Senate voted 52-47 to advance a House-passed bill to a final vote, eight short of the 60 needed to overcome the filibuster backed by nearly all Senate Democrats and a handful of the 45 Republicans.” Revelations that the National Security Agency had been spying on individuals inside the United States were damning.

“Today’s revelation makes it crystal clear that we have to be very careful, very careful,” said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

No Republican defended the reported practice, and the bill’s chief Republican supporter joined in the criticism. “There is no doubt that this is inappropriate,” said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He pledged hearings in 2006.

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