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Subscribe to RSSIt looks like Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is not only holding up the extension of controversial provisions of the Patriot Act that expire at midnight on Friday morning; he's also ruining Memorial Day vacation plans.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid attacked Paul on the Senate floor this afternoon, saying if Paul thinks this is a “badge of courage” to hold up the Patriot Act vote, “that’s a mistake” and “the clock is ticking. The ball is in his court”
Paul answered Reid on the floor. "I'm here to discuss and debate the constitutionality of the Patriot Act... Can we not have a debate on a higher plane? A debate over whether or not there should be some constitutional protections, some constitutional procedure?" Paul wants to introduce and debate multiple amendments including one that would exempt certain firearm records from being obtained using the authority provided in the Patriot Act.
The Senate back-and-forth that has been taking place on this for the last few days caused House Majority Leader Eric Cantor to announce a change in the House schedule. He took to the House floor to break the news to his 431 colleagues that since the Senate may not be able to vote on the bill until early Friday morning, members would need to stick around and get the bill passed before leaving town.
Currently, it looks like the Senate will file cloture on the extension tomorrow morning, which would trigger the need for 30 hours of debate. On non-controversial bills, the 30 hours is often waived, but Paul seems to be sticking to his guns, insisting on the full 30 hours of debate. So, as of now, the House wouldn't be able to get started on passing the bill until some time Friday morning.
The three controversial provisions that are set to sunset Friday include the government's authorization for roving electronic surveillance, the ability to obtain orders from a special court for "any tangible thing" related to terrorism, and surveillance orders for "lone wolf" terrorists who are not formally connected with a terrorist organization.
If things continue on the current path, those three provisions would sunset, though probably for no more than a day. According to Justice Department contacts, this situation is less than desirable. It would force some of the current surveillance to cease until the president could sign the extension.
Rep. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (D-MD), the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, said he worried about not having these tools in place, even briefly, if the country were attacked. "I think it's so important that we don't go through Memorial Day weekend without the resources and the tools to be able to deal with that provision of the law," the congressman said.
And Reid said, “The inability to reach an agreement has serious consequences. At midnight tomorrow, the Patriot Act will expire. Unless the senator from Kentucky stops standing in the way, our law enforcement will no longer be able to use some of the most critical tools they need to counter terrorists and combat terrorism. If they cannot use these tools –- tools that identify and track terrorist suspects –- it could have dire consequences for our national security.”
Another issue hampering the extension is that President Obama has to physically sign the bill. Once it gets through both chambers, it either has to be flown to the president in Europe or be waiting for him when he gets back to the U.S.
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The earth must have fallen of it's axis today cause, I AGREE with Rand Paul!
The Patriot Act is unconstitutional! PERIOD!
I need a drink! lol
On this, i'll also Agree with Sen. Paul & Give'm a ThumbsUp for Stalling this NonWorking House of Representatives Memorial Day Plans, My God, they just came off another 2 week Vacation !
Is the House Ever in session with this bunch?
Feisty, I agree with Sen. Rand Paul as well.
The funny thing about power is that those that have it will NEVER give it up willingly.
If you want the Patriot Act to disappear, it will take the PEOPLE - through their elected officials in Congress - to rescind that power that President George Bush so foolishly enabled.
President Obama will NOT willingly rescind that power because it really helps him; he could give the power up, but that would signal to his enemies that he is vulnerable, and he is NOT going to do that. Without the Patriot Act, I think that we would be seeing a few different tactics in the 'war' on terror.
This is a step in the right direction. Now if we can just get the TSA to stop groping/assaulting people who need to fly.
This hard. Not only must the earth must have fallen of it's axis today cause, I AGREE with Rand Paul AND Feisty. Never again.
And yet Obama and the rest of the democratic establishment seems to support it. How odd.
AWWW come on now... I thought this might be the start to something beautiful! ;o)
Probably no big surprise that I agree with Rand Paul on this issue as well. Axe this horrible piece of legislation.
Hey muffintop, are you saying that makes it right?
At first I thought the same thing, but if you catch the one sentence...that Paul just wants to amend the Patriot Act, it looks like someone is getting funds from the NRA...
If it looks too good to be true, it probably is?
In response to Rick's comment above... Rand Paul is not in the House of Representatives (435 members), he is in the Senate (100 members). There is no cloture or filibuster in the House, because it would just take to long.
But I completely agree, I thought I would never be on the side of Rand Paul, but 100% back his position on the Patriot Act. It is completely unconstitutional and goes against the 4th Amendment.
WOW even Feisty has to admit Obama screwed up on this by lying to us all TWICE. You can say what you like about Rand Paul and Ron Paul but the fact is they are just about the only 2 politicians that have integrity and are not going to change their stance because the political winds have changed direction. They are the only men left in politics I believe will do what they say and have the voting record and history to prove it. The rest are spineless sellouts including our president I am sorry to say.
PS Kyle & Feisty, going to war without congressional approval is unconstitutional too.
I hope the Patriot Act expires and is gone for good. I'm sick of living in a police state.
The Patriot Act is certainly constitutional if it is administered correctly and with oversight; that was painfully missing previously under the Bush administration.
Paul's grandstanding, however, like Vitter's, simply reinforces the Republican image of obstructionism on any issue, large or small. Paul's stunt does not bode well for Republicans come 2012.
It is kind of like bizarro world....I agree with Paul on this one. The Patriot Act should be debated, examined and some of it scrapped. If they all have to work a bit longer going into a holiday weekend? So what! At least they have jobs which is something millions of americans truly wish they also had!
I agree, except with the "some of it" part.
EVERY TIME I read about the budget, Medicare, Defense Spending, what we're sending to other countries, blah blah, ad nauseum, I want to throw up because of the "children" that have been elected to supposedly help guide a nation. I've had it with the R and D caucuses and how about thinking independently for the constituency you represent? We've exceeded our wildest dreams - a congress full of brown nosing Senators and Congressmen. What a joke!
Thnkaboutit, that's why God invented 3rd parties.
Yes PLEASE all you tea party, anti-government, Ayn Rand fantasy-landers join hands with the black-helicopter, anti-UN, crypto-fascist miitia types and start your OWN PARTY. Then maybe the GOP can remember what responsible adult governing looks like; boot all the wing-nuts and wack-jobs out and start running as a realistic center-right mainstream party. Our legislative branch might actually start functioning again...
Whats wrong with center/left? JC's values were more left then right. You are your brothers keeper. nes pas!
I Agree with Paul too.. What the @!$%# has american become.... If you think being patriotic means to piss on the constitution then you should go @!$%#ing die and your no better than osama. At least we know what side he fell on. America --> Police state
Lets see what the TSA is tryin to do google any thing i say
TSA pats down babies, old ladies, women, men, children at airports...... then trains..... then buses.... then has highway VIPR check points..... Then at a HS prom.... Shutdown texas's state congress attempt to curtail their sexual harassment of people.... They have a no fly list , Trying for a no ride list, And even a no GUN list. @!$%# obama, @!$%# bush. They're one in the same... tyrannical rulers
The GOP just fought to keep the $4 billion in tax subsidies for the big Oil companies!!!
Big Oil really needs the money...Now they want to balance the bloated budget on the backs of the old, the sick, the disabled, the young and the future of America as we know it...
The USA is starting to wake up and witness the hideous side of the Republican Party.
GOP/TEA Party...the end is near...
I Agree with Paul too.. What the @!$%# has american become.... If you think being patriotic means to piss on the constitution then you should go @!$%#ing die and your no better than osama. At least we know what side he fell on. America --> Police state
Lets see what the TSA is tryin to do google any thing i say
TSA pats down babies, old ladies, women, men, children at airports...... then trains..... then buses.... then has highway VIPR check points..... Then at a HS prom.... Shutdown texas's state congress attempt to curtail their sexual harassment of people.... They have a no fly list , Trying for a no ride list, And even a no GUN list. @!$%# obama, @!$%# bush. They're one in the same... tyrannical rulers
I am so sick and tired of this constant BS between the parties I want scream from the gallery, knock this crap off and work to fix th problems of this nation or there is going to be hell to pay. the entire nation is tired of it. Fix the debt, keep medicare and social security intact but plug the leaks, prosecute the criminals. I agree with Rand, Patriot Act needs to be reviewed and fixed or killed. I am an independent I will not vote for any party that endorses the doing away with SS and medicare and that means Obamacare must go. I like parts of it, but for the most part, don't dictate to me what I will do or not do.
Honestly, I think all 535 pricks w/ears need to be unelected come 2012, the only way to fix our problems is to wipe the slate clean to tell the GD elite of this country, screw you, you will not control us we will not be your slaves and you will not spend our taxes on BS such as Obamacare and unnecessary foreign aid. Keep our money at home, we have friends and fellow citizens hurt and in need of some real help in the mid-west, home and lives will need to be rebuilt after we bury and honor the dead. Why the freck is Obama not here tending to this nations needs? Come home azzhole!! We pay you to lead here and not in Europe.
As Jefferson said, "I prefer the tempestuous sea of liberty to the calm of despotism." Repeal the misnamed Patriot Act.
Me too, but I have always seen Ron and Rand's point of view on some matters. Even though some consider me to be a lily livered liberal.