AP Reports on Renewal, Expiration of Patriot Act Provisions

Yesterday, the Associated Press reported on three Patriot Act provisions which are set to expire later this year, two of which will be renewed and modified by a House bill (introduced Tuesday). The provision for tracking a "lone wolf" (terror suspect operating independently of any terrorist organization) will be eliminated. Although the Justice Department has requested that the provision remain in effect, the government has not previously used it.

The two provisions that the House bill will renew involve roving wiretaps and court orders for seizure of documents and other tangible objects. Both will be modified to incorporate greater privacy protection. For example - the former provision, used to track terror suspects who switch from phone to phone, will only be applied to single, identifiable suspects.

You can track H.R. 3845 here. The Senate equivalent, which has been introduced to the full Senate, can be found here.

Senate Considering Extension of Patriot Act Provisions

Following the Senate Judiciary Committee's 11-8 vote to extend expiring provisions of the Patriot Act, the full Senate now looks toward extension of these same counterterror measures. For more on the specific provisions, and the related civil liberties/security balancing act, please click here.