Senators May Extend Illegal Patriot Act Spying Because They Want To Go Home For Memorial Day

Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 06:06 pm

In a sign of the Senate’s misplaced priorities, the Senate may extend a number of illegal Patriot Act spying programs because they are anxious to get home for the Memorial Day holiday.

Roll Call reported:

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The Senate appeared to be lurching toward passing a short-term extension of existing surveillance authorities under the Patriot Act, despite insistence by the House that members on that side of the Rotunda wouldn’t be coming back before a June 1 deadline.

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Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada, one of the Republicans supporting the USA Freedom Act, predicted it would fall short of getting the 60 votes needed to limit debate on a motion to proceed, in no small part because of the smell of the recess jet fumes.

“Maybe we’ll get lucky. I hope we have the votes, but that argument about staying in all week certainly seems to trump all the reasonable arguments everybody else is making,” Heller said, adding that he was undecided about objecting to moving a short-term extension of the Patriot Act provisions.

So much for doing the people’s business. Instead of staying at work until their tasks are completed, Senators are going to rush through a short-term extension of the Patriot Act’s illegal spying programs.

Sen. Rand Paul’s fake filibuster against the Patriot Act may end up resulting in the law being extended. Paul’s self-serving attempt to boost his presidential campaign could end up costing those Americans who want to see the law expire the best chance that they have ever had at real reform.

The Senators that the American people pay to represent them are about to screw them over because they are in a hurry to get home for Memorial Day. This is what our dysfunctional Republican-led Congress has come to.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association