WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | White House hails short-term extension of Patriot Act

White House hails short-term extension of Patriot Act

(White House-AP) December 22, 2005 - 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.

Press Secretary Scott McClellan calls Wednesday night's Senate vote "an important victory for the American people."

Senators approved the extension after failing to agree on making most of the act's expiring provisions permanent.

After the late-night vote, President Bush called the expanded law enforcement powers in the act a "vital tool for America in the war on terror." Critics contend those powers need more safeguards to protect civil liberties.

McClellan says the administration is pleased because it thwarted Democratic efforts to kill the act. Democrats deny that's what they wanted to do. And they were joined by several moderate Republicans in blocking a permanent renewal.

Posted 9:38am by Bryce Mursch