Senate Agrees To Extend Patriot Act

Via Reuters:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate leaders reached a bipartisan agreement on Wednesday to extend for six months key provisions of the anti-terrorism USA Patriot Act set to expire in 10 days.

The accord, to be voted on later on Wednesday, would provide time for Congress to try to resolve differences over safeguards for civil liberties before making most of the provisions the Bush administration deems necessary for its war on terror permanent.

While the senators deliberate, they should read this article by John Schmidt, who served under President Clinton and explains why Bush had the legal authority to authorize wiretaps on incoming international calls.