Senate Passes Patriot Act Extension

WASHINGTON - The Senate passed a six-month extension of the USA Patriot Act late Wednesday night, hoping to avoid the expiration of law enforcement powers deemed vital in the war on terror.

Approval came on a voice vote, and cleared the way for a final vote in the House.

Several provisions in the current law expire Dec. 31, and President Bush has called repeatedly for new legislation.

The House was scheduled to reconvene Thursday, but senior Republicans there have opposed any temporary extension of the current law, insisting that most of the expiring provisions should be renewed permanently.

more at:
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/december2005/221205actextension.htm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051222/ap_on_go_co/patriot_act
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/21/patriot.act/index.html