Sen. Paul Filibusters PATRIOT ACT Renewal ... Sort Of
By Frank Thorp V and Carrie Dann
Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul has begun a filibuster-like speech on the Senate floor to protest the renewal of the Patriot Act, highlighting his opposition to the National Security Agency's controversial bulk collection of telephone data.
While Paul tweeted that he's launched "a filibuster of the Patriot Act renewal," his speech is not a true filibuster at this point because it's not currently delaying consideration of any bill. But the GOP hopeful's remarks will draw attention to his longtime push for more protection of privacy rights.
"All this gathering up of bulk data records isn't what we needed," Paul said on Wednesday of his perspective on how the terrorists behind 9-11 could have been better tracked.
Paul, who early in his career learned the art of the filibuster from fellow Kentucky Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, used the technique in 2013 to delay a vote on the nomination of John Brennan as director of the CIA. Paul took to the floor to criticize the Obama administration's use of drones.
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http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sen-paul-filibusters-patriot-act-renewal-sort-n362121