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Hold Out Against PATRIOT Act
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Progressive Portal
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Dec 19, 2005 19:15 PST
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SENATE HAS VOTED ONCE TO ALLOW CONTINUED FILIBUSTER
AGAINST PROVISIONS THAT DAMAGE CIVIL LIBERTIES
[From the American Civil Liberties Union <http://www.aclu.org>]
On Fri, 16 Dec 2005, the Senate failed to cut off debate on renewing
some of the worst provisions of the "USA PATRIOT Act." The vote was
57-43 to cut off debate, but under the Senate's rules regarding
filibusters, 60 votes are needed. (A filibuster occurs when at least one
Senator refuses to yield the floor and end discussion on an item, so
that it cannot move to a vote.)
Significantly, four Republicans joined all but two Democrats in opposing
the "cloture" motion that would have ended debate.
Senators filibustering the PATRIOT Act are seeking to soften some of its
worst provisions allowing spying on Americans with little or no judicial
oversight or other protections of civil liberties. With the recent
revelation that President Bush has authorized the National Security
Agency to spy on U.S. citizens without a court order, the tide is
turning against giving the White House unbridled power to interfere with
our lives.
Take Action
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If your Senator voted against the "cloture" motion that would have
allowed a vote on renewing PATRIOT Act provisions, thank her or him; if
your Senator voted in favor of "cloture," ask him or her to allow debate
to continue so the worst parts of the Act can be softened:
//secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?alertId=343&pg=makeACall&page=UserAction
(Scroll to the bottom of the page to see how your Senators voted.)
More Information
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Senate fails to approve Patriot Act (16 Dec 2005):
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/16/senate.patriot.ap/
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