THE TENSION: Senate Passes Patriot Act Extension

WASHINGTON/POLITICS

PATRIOT ACT - NSA - CIA - WHITE HOUSE - BUSH -- An aerial view of the U.S. Capitol Building is seen in a 2001 file photo. The House of Representatives has no plans to return early from its long winter break to pass a $39.7 billion spending cut bill that was amended on Wednesday by the Senate, an aide to Acting House Majority Leader Roy Blunt said. (Larry Downing/Reuters)

NEWSBYTES
Senate Passes Patriot Act Extension
WASHINGTON (AP) - 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...

Senate votes to extend anti-terrorism bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday ended a high-stakes impasse and voted to extend for six months key provisions of the anti-terrorism USA Patriot Act set to expire in 10 days.

Senate Extends Patriot Act
(CBS News) Senators agreed to extend the expiring provisions of the USA Patriot Act for six months to allow the bill's critics to continue to seek additional civil liberty safeguards in the anti-terrorism law. The provisions were set to expire on Dec. 31.

Senators agree to extend Patriot Act provisions
(USA Today) The Senate approved a six-month extension of the USA Patriot Act Wednesday night, avoiding the expiration of law enforcement powers deemed vital to the war on terror.

TENSION: Politically motivated
GRAVITY: Status quo

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