Take Two: PATRIOT Act Extension Passes House

Last week, the House failed to clear a supermajority vote under special rules to extend expiring provisions of the PATRIOT Act. But no surprises this time: the House approved the extension yesterday under normal majority rules.

The extension passed 275 to 144, similar to last week's vote. (See the tables below for votes changed.) A motion to return the bill to committee for additional attention to its constitutionality also failed.

Three controversial provisions of the intelligence law are set to expire Feb. 28. 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.

If the Senate concurs, the provisions will be renewed until December, requiring Congress to revisit the issue later this year. A bill introduced by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) would reform the provisions, including adding transparency and oversight mechanisms.

PATRIOT Act extension: Votes changed
(votes against party highlighted)
Rep. Vote on Feb. 8 Vote on Feb. 14
Butterfield (D-NC) NV Aye
Crawford (R-AR) NV Aye
Garrett (R-NJ) NV Aye
Gutierrez (D-IL) NV Nay
Hanna (R-NY) NV No
Lamborn (R-CO) NV Aye
Posey (R-FL) NV Aye
Speier (D-CA) NV No
 
Bass (D-CA) Nay NV
Berkley (D-NV) Yea NV
Burton (R-IN) Yea NV
Clarke (D-NY) Nay NV
Culberson (R-TX) Yea NV
Frank (D-MA) Nay NV
Harman (D-CA) Yea NV
Johnson (D-CA) Nay NV
Lee (R-NY)* Yea * resigned Feb. 9
Rush (D-IL) Nay NV
Smith (D-WA) Yea NV
Tierney (D-MA) Nay NV
Woolsey (D-CA) Nay NV
Young (D-FL) Yea NV
 
Brown (D-FL) Nay Aye
Deutch (D-FL) Nay Aye
Hastings (D-FL) Yea No
Larsen (D-WA) Yea No
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