Patriot Act Extension Bill - Midnight tonight deadline.

[AEA]

Just caught a quick discussion on the bill extension being debated now.

Apparently there is one Congressman (name unknown) that is holding out to pass this bill because he fears it will cause problems for folks like us with regard to confidentiality and privacy.

Not sure what all this means except that there is at least one member who is standing up for us right now. I have not seen anything on here about this.

Can anyone provide more info on this?

[The Mad Moderate]

Just caught a quick discussion on the bill extension being debated now.

Apparently there is one Congressman (name unknown) that is holding out to pass this bill because he fears it will cause problems for folks like us with regard to confidentiality and privacy.

Not sure what all this means except that there is at least one member who is standing up for us right now. I have not seen anything on here about this.

Can anyone provide more info on this?

I wish they would kill the bill almost entirely it's one infringement after another of our rights as americans and as Ben franklin said "Those who would give up essential liberties to purchase a little temporary security deserve neither"

[hirundo82]

Not sure what all this means except that there is at least one member who is standing up for us right now. I have not seen anything on here about this.

Can anyone provide more info on this?

Rand Paul is refusing to relinquish the 30 hours of debate time he was promised on the Patriot Act extension.

One of the major sticking points (including with the Senate GOP leadership) is that Paul wants to disallow access to firearm records (I'm assuming they're talking 4473's) under the Patriot Act.

[hirundo82]

I think it's hilarious listening to all the politicians predicting the world is going to end if the Patriot Act isn't reauthorized (for 4 years!) by midnight tonight, like all the world's terrorists are lurking right outside the US borders and the only thing keeping them out is the Patriot Act.

[mamabearCali]

All in all the patriot act is a bad piece of legislation--I am sure it is helpful some of the time in finding bad guys, but most of the time it is just a major overreach of governmental power. It would be nice if it could go the way of the do-do.

[hirundo82]

All in all the patriot act is a bad piece of legislation--I am sure it is helpful some of the time in finding bad guys, but most of the time it is just a major overreach of governmental power. It would be nice if it could go the way of the do-do.

I don't think that the Patriot Act allows law enforcement to investigate things they couldn't otherwise; it just helps them get around that pesky 4th Amendment.

[hirundo82]

Well, looks like Paul's gun amendment got voted down, 85-10. Anyone care to explain to me the NRA's reasoning for declining to support it (beyond the procedural stuff)?