Senators Remain at Patriot Act Impasse

[deminks]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051222/ap_on_go_co/patriot_act

WASHINGTON - Despite last-minute negotiations, senators failed Wednesday to reach an agreement to reauthorize the expiring portions of the USA Patriot Act as they continued to try to wrap up their legislative year.

But no deal had been reached by nightfall, and lawmakers milled around the Senate chamber as they awaited word on what would happen with the chamber's last pieces of legislation.

Without some sort of compromise, the 16 provisions expire Dec. 31. Officials will still be able to use those powers, which includes the tapping of multiple telephones and computers, on investigations that began in 2005.

Specter said he is trying to broker a deal that would allow the Senate to pass the current legislation "on my commitment to take up issues that they are so worried about. We'd have hearings early next year and consider the amendments, no commitment as to passage, but give consideration to that so we don't have the Patriot Act lapse, since it's important to America."

[Vincardog]

1. I say if aWoL: won't sign an extension let it lapse