NEWS: Sensenbrenner to block six-month extension of the Patriot Act

WASHINGTON - House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner threatened Thursday to block passage of six-month extension of the Patriot Act, Republicans officials said, leaving open the possibility that the anti-terror legislation enacted after the attacks of 2001 might expire at year's end.

A spokesman for the Wisconsin Republican declined comment.

Sensenbrenner's reticence sent the White House and congressional GOP leaders scrambling to prevent the expiration of the existing law, with most lawmakers already home for the holidays. One possibility included approval of a shorter extension, coupled with a decision to summon lawmakers back to the Capitol early next year.

"Congressman Sensenbrenner needs to do what's right for Americans and agree to let the bipartisan Senate bill pass promptly," said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

The Senate approved a six-month extension Wednesday night. Republican leaders reversed course to do so, after insisting for days they would accept nothing less than enactment of permanent legislation that incorporated changes in the powers granted law enforcement to pursue suspected terrorists.

President Bush has long demanded Congress send him permanent legislation, but he sidestepped the issue of an extension when he spoke with reporters during the day.

"It appears to me that the Congress understands we've got to keep the Patriot Act in place, that we're still under threat," he said before boarding a helicopter headed to Camp David, Md., for a long holiday weekend with his family.

Under House rules, Sensenbrenner has the power to block enactment of the six-month law. Officials who described his position did so on condition of anonymity, citing a need to keep the matter confidence.

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

or is he really against renewal?

And of course he marches in lock step. Now Bush can recall Congress for an emergency session.

and then I read your post. Thank you. You kept me from having to clean up quite a mess.

Thanks, glad I could help :D

How mature :sarcasm: and I might add that this looks nothing like playing "politics" with "national security" eh Scotty?

declare martial law?

:tinfoilhat:

:tinfoilhat: If it's extended for 6 months, that postpones their MIHOP plan.

:scared:

That there are still a few decent people among the Repugs who are rediscovering their conscience and soul.

I wish it would expire.

The Republicans want "all or nothing" -- either renew the whole damn thing, including the bad parts, or they'll stomp their feet and let it expire and blame the Democrats.

The Democrats want to take the nasty bits out and renew the rest (I'm oversimplifying) -- but they're willing to accept a 6-month extention of the existing act to hash things out. (The Senate unanimously passed a compromise bill, but the compromise vanished in conference.)

Sensenbrenner isn't blocking this to protect civil liberties. He's blocking it because the Bushies told him to. Sure, he was hailed by libertarians when the thing got passed in the first place, when he said he'd be willing to keep an eye on things. That's quietly gone away.

if a Repug is the one putting on the brakes?

refusing to go forward with permanent legislation, that an extension is simply unacceptable.

I'm not sure it'll work. But I guarantee Sensenbrenner's not blocking things because he wants to see the Patriot Act die.

Press conference4 coming up on CNN.

We went 200 years without it and all through the two world wars and the cold war too. I am all for fighting terriorism as a law enforcement option. We should have gone in and got Osama and his top men instead of waging two wars. Just my own opinion. I am not for giving up my civil liberties for anyone's agenda or an illusion of safety.

He is extreme on authoritarianism.

on Friday he would veto any temporary extension of the act.

The White House is hailing the Senate's vote to extend the Patriot Act for six months, a day after vowing President Bush wouldn't accept a short-term extension.

Questions: Does this administration realize how stupid this makes them look? At a time when its credibility is crumbling on all fronts, was it really a good idea to defiantly declare intention to veto in the first place? Have they always been this transparently blatant, or is this a new level of doofus blatancy achievement? What has happened to the fearsome slick message machine we've come to know and loathe?

Scariest question of all: Is it possible anyone is taken in by this?

http://www.dailykos.com/

Now, what will Bush say if Sensenbrenner goes through with his threat, claim victory again?

I was against the extension before I was for the extension before I was against the extension.

Flip, Flop, Flip.

the Dems fought to keep it AS IT IS for 6 months
the 'pug says no, let it expire.

Who let it expire? the 'pugs....

truly

it's on their heads!!

If you're pissed at Sensenbrenner, help Bryan beat him.

www.bryankennedyforcongress.com

OK, someone, somewhere thinks they now have the votes to pass it, as is. what has happened? Why would WH, Pres, Cheney, prefer a one-month extension, requiring an earlier-than-expected reconvening of Congress?

tonight, we'll get a surprise motion to bypass the 1-month extension and go straight for approval.

God, I hope the right people saw this coming and haven't left town...