Last week, the United States House of Representatives failed to extend several provisions found in the Patriot Act under a special expedited procedure that requires a two-thirds majority vote. To the surprise of House Republicans, the measure failed by seven votes, prompting Republicans to bring the bill up once again under a rule, which requires only a simple majority. Not surprisingly, the vote passed on Monday night by a vote of 275 to 144, extending the provisions of the Patriot Act an additional nine months.
Fox News reports:
The Patriot Act extensions deal with special “roving” wiretaps, which allow law enforcement officials to use one search warrant to monitor a suspect’s calls, even if he or she skips from phone to phone. Traditional search warrants only apply to a single telephone line. The bill also grants anti-terrorism officials the authority to search library records.
The bill also extends the “lone-wolf” provision of a 2004 law that permits secret intelligence surveillance of non-Americans who may not even be connected to a specific terrorist organization.
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) defended bringing the Patriot Act renewal to the floor on Monday by saying, “Clearly we wanted to see the bill passed.”
Those who voted in support of the legislation contend that it effectively prevents further terrorist attacks, but those who voted against the bill assert that it is a violation of individual civil liberties and report that it has stripped the Fourth Amendment of its authority.
According to Politico, there were 27 Republican “no” votes and 65 Democrat “yes” votes:
Freshman Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Mike Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Raul Labrador (Idaho), Rand Hultgren (Ill.), Richard Hanna (N.Y.), Bobby Schilling (Ill.) and Rob Woodall (Ga.) voted against the bill. They were joined by senior Republican Reps. Jack Kingston (Ga.), Jimmy Duncan (Tenn.) and Ron Paul (Texas).
Representative Amash said of his vote, “Like many Republicans and Democrats concerned with protecting civil liberties, I have serious reservations about the Patriot Act provisions up for renewal.”
Schilling added, “During my campaign I stated that we need increased national security, but not without a thorough and complete look at the Patriot Act and its scope. I will continue to support a strong national defense that does not infringe upon the rights of Americans.”
Last week, the Republicans attempted to expedite the passage of the extensions without debate, but failed to reach the two-thirds majority threshold.
Of last week’s failed vote, The Hill wrote, “More than two dozen Republicans bucked their leadership in the vote, by far the biggest defection for the House GOP since it took over the lower chamber. Until tonight’s vote, Republicans voted together in all but two votes this year, and in those two votes, only one Republican voted with Democrats.”
At this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Texas Congressman Ron Paul touted the failed House vote as a victory for those who embrace liberty.
The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate, where a vote is required within a few weeks before the Patriot Act provisions expire.
