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Patriot Act Extended For One Month Only

By Jeralyn, Section War on Terror
Posted on Thu Dec 22, 2005 at 08:08:13 PM EST
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Did Rep. James Sensenbrenner miscalculate? Last night, the Senate had agreed to extend the Patriot Act for six months so a compromise bill could be worked out that better protected civil liberties than the dismal conference bill.

But, Rep. Sensenbrenner thought that was too long. He wanted a Patriot Act renewal bill in place sooner. So with an almost empty Senate chamber today, he moved for a one month extension and got it.

Will the Democrats fold in January? Sen. Russ Feingold says they won't.

"No one should make the mistake of thinking that a shorter extension will make it possible to jam the unacceptable conference report through the Congress," said Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., who led the Senate filibuster. "That bill is dead and cannot be revived.""

How does a one month extension help the Republicans?

The New York Times notes that when Congress returns in January, it will not only have the Patriot Act to deal with but Senate hearings on Bush's orders for warrantless domestic spying by the National Security Agency.

Add to that Senate confirmation hearings on Judge Sam Alito and House consideration of the Ebeneezer Cheney budget bill. Rep. Nancy Pelosi was able to block a House vote on it today.

Democratic leader, Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, rebuffed an entreaty from Speaker J. Dennis Hastert of Illinois to consent to its consideration. The move forces the House to take up the budget when it comes back into session next year.

Congress is now in recess.

When the Senate convened at 8 p.m., Mr. Warner sat in the chamber alone, joined just by clerks and 12 or so aides who clapped vigorously when he brought down the gavel for the final time this year.

"Every single House Democrat opposed this immoral bill because of the harmful cuts in student loans, health care, child support enforcement and other assistance for seniors and low- and middle-income families," Ms. Pelosi said in a letter to Mr. Hastert. "In fact, many members on your side of the aisle agreed that the draconian cuts were not justified."

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    Patriot Act Extended For One Month Only | 2 comments (2 topical)
    Re: Patriot Act Extended For One Month Only (none / 0) (#1)
    by N in Seattle on Thu Dec 22, 2005 at 09:00:25 PM EST
    How does the one-month extension jibe with the threat made by Hastert to delay (or should that be DeLay?) calling the House into session until late in January? As I recall, their intention was give The Hammer some extra time to kill off Earle's indictments so that he could retake his position as Majority Leader. Of course, the Texas judge isn't going to let Tom off that quickly, which scotches that part of the plan, so I suppose the Rethugs will have to suck it up and actually convene in January.

    Re: Patriot Act Extended For One Month Only (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Dec 22, 2005 at 09:04:38 PM EST
    Discourse.net suggests that six months would mean another debate too close to the '06 elections.

    Patriot Act Extended For One Month Only | 2 comments (2 topical)