Senate Rejects Patriot Act
The Senate has rejected the Patriot Act renewal legislation by a 52 to 47 vote. Frist said no to a three month extension.[Update: Roll Call vote is here.]
Huge defeat for Bush. But, they can still go back to the bargaining table and Frist might call for another vote before December 31 when the sunsetted provisions expire.
Cagey Frist: When he saw the bill was going down, he switched sides, so under the rules he can ask for another vote.
If your Senator voted against the Patriot Act, call them and thank them. Let them know you appreciate their vote for your freedom and privacy rights. And ask them to stand firm and reject a new compromise.
Update on the vote: The Nation reports:
In the end, every Democratic senator except South Dakota's Tim Johnson and Nebraska's Ben Nelson (who voted with the Republicans), and Connecticut's Chris Dodd (who did not vote) sided with Feingold. So, too, did Vermont Independent Jim Jeffords and three conservative Republicans: Idaho's Craig, Nebraska's Chuck Hagel and New Hampshire's John Sununu. (Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, an ally of the administration, also voted against cloture in order to maintain his ability to reopen the issue.)
| < Murray Waas: Rove's Latest Defense Strategy | Raw Story: Rove and the Hadley E-Mail > |
