Surprise! PATRIOT Act Extension Fails House Vote

In a surprise move, a vote to extend expiring provisions of the PATRIOT Act fell short in the House yesterday. Three controversial provisions of the intelligence law are set to expire Feb. 28.

While the bill received majority support, the vote required a super-majority to pass under special rules reserved for non-controversial measures. Twenty-six Republicans joined 122 Democrats to block the measure. House leaders plan to hold another vote before the provisions expire, this time under normal rules which only require a majority in favor.

The expiring provisions authorize the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to grant warrants to federal investigators for "roving wiretaps" of an individual; for surveillance of a foreign citizen, even without showing that the person is a terrorist or foreign agent; and for "business records," including library records.

The bill, which was not considered in committee, would have extended the provisions until December, requiring Congress to revisit the provisions later this year. The Obama administration supported the bill, although it preferred an extension until 2013.

Several competing measures have been introduced which extend the provisions for varying lengths of time; another would make the provisions permanent. One of the reauthorization bills, by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), would reform the provisions, including adding transparency and oversight mechanisms.

PATRIOT Act reauthorization bills
Bill Sponsors Extended until Notes
H.R. 67 Rep. Mike J. Rogers (R-MI) Feb. 2012  
H.R. 514 Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Mike J. Rogers (R-MI), Lamar Smith (R-TX) Dec. 2011  
S. 149 Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) Dec. 2013 Renews other provisions set to expire in Dec. 2012 until Dec. 2013 (identical to S. 289)
S. 193* Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Dec. 2013 Includes reforms; sunsets other provisions in Dec. 2013 (identical to S. 290)
S. 289 Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) Dec. 2013 Renews other provisions set to expire in Dec. 2012 until Dec. 2013 (identical to S. 149)
S. 290 Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Dec. 2013 Includes reforms; sunsets other provisions in Dec. 2013 (identical to S. 192)
S. 291 Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) n/a Makes provisions permanent

* edited to correct bill number.

Follow Gavin Baker on Twitter

back to Blog