Patriot Act Renewal Clears Final Hurdle (69-30 to limit debate)

[sabra]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/3691170.html

Patriot Act Renewal Clears Final Hurdle


WASHINGTON — Months overdue in a midterm election year, the USA Patriot Act renewal cleared a final hurdle in the Senate Tuesday on its way to President Bush's desk. But the bill's sponsor made clear that he is unsatisfied with the measure's privacy protections and far from done tinkering with the centerpiece of Bush's war on terrorism.

"The issue is not concluded," warned the bill's chief author, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa. He said he plans more legislation and hearings on restoring curbs on government power that had been rejected by the House.

The Senate voted 69-30 to limit debate and bring the bill up for a vote, exceeding a required 60-vote threshold. The Senate could pass the final measure as soon as Wednesday. The House then would vote and send the legislation to the White House.

President Bush must sign the measure into law before 16 major provisions expire March 10.

[worldgonekrazy]

1. The hell with Specter

I thought the man had some principles, but it has become obvious he's just out to protect his own hide. Sure he blusters about rampant abuses of power by the Bush Administration, because Bush is wildly unpopular in PA, but when it comes down to it he won't do a damn thing of any actual substance.

[second edition]

3. You have him pegged accurately. n/t

[WhiteTara]

9. I knew he had no priniciples during the

Clarence Thomas hearings. He is a pig. Always has been, looks like he always will be.

[bullimiami]

2. 30? fucking 30? what the hell is wrong with these senators?

[Warren Stupidity]

11. no spine no balls corrupt asshats. nt.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. Love the misleading headline....

"Patriot Act Renewal Clears Final Hurdle"

Oh yea, except for the vote in the Senate, then the vote in the House.

All is not lost people.

[FoxNewsSucks]

7. All is not lost?

Uhhh, yeah it is. There aren't enough votes to stop the filthy Republicans. It's the votes for cloture, requiring 60, that are the votes which mean something.

Just like Scalito. What good did it do for the 19 traitors to the Dem party to vote against him? If they'd voted against cloture, he wouldn't be on the Supreme court today.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

8. cloture has passed almost everytime...

but then the bill has failed on final vote, so how is this the end?

[FoxNewsSucks]

5. Worthless Democrats

What good are they if they won't take what action they can? First it was Scalito, now the "patriot" Act. Some of them may as well just switch parties now.

[BlakeB]

6. *sigh*

You know I felt like the filibuster of Alito was hopeless, but I think we should have continued blocking the Patriot Act til it was either completely erased or reformed heavily. STUPID DEMOCRATS.

And Specter's principles get in the way of his being a lap dog of the administration-so he gets rid of them.

[depakid]

13. The Senate Dems Have given the far right everything up 'til now

What makes anyone think they won't keep on voting with the far right.

It's not as if they're interested in ever becoming the majority party again.

And even if they were, what makes anyone think that a significant number wouldn't continue to keep voting with the far right?

Until the Dems clean house and get rid of their DINO's- they're bound to remain irrelevant in national politics- at least if you're interested in results- as opposed to empty rhetoric.

[IndianaGreen]

12. The same Harry Reid that swiftboated Paul Hackett

Why am I not surprised?

[Massachusetts]

10. 69-30 to limit debate

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

- Guess Who, not the (69) that voted to limit debate!