US House, Senate agree to extend Patriot Act

US House, Senate agree to extend Patriot Act

Negotiators from the two chambers of the US Congress reached agreement Thursday to reauthorize the USA Patriotic Act, a law enacted shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to counter terrorism.

Arlen Specter, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that the negotiating committee of the House and the Senate had agreed to extend two of the law’s most controversial provisions for four years.

The two provisions authorize roving wiretaps and permitting secret warrants for books, records and other items from businesses,hospitals and libraries.

The Senate was expected to vote on the compromise next week, said Specter.

Most of the Patriot Act would become permanent under the reauthorization. If not reauthorized, the act would expire on Dec.31 this year.

Some Democrat lawmakers, meanwhile, have threatened to filibuster the comprise.

“I will do everything I can, including a filibuster, to stop this Patriot Act conference report, which does not include adequate safeguards to protect our constitutional freedoms,” Democratic Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin said in a statement.

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has reportedly intended to vote against the current comprise.

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