Congressional Republicans Reach Deal on Patriot Act

The White House brokered a compromise deal with Congressional Republicans on Thursday that will move a Patriot Act reauthorization bill to the floor next week, according to the San Jose Mercury News. The "deal" included a four-year renewal of the most controversial portions of the bill instead of the seven or 10 year extensions preferred by the House of Representatives, thus bringing the bill closer in line with the Senate version. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) characterized the compromise legislation as "not a perfect bill, but a good bill." There is bi-partisan opposition to the bill.

According to ABC News, this is the "second time in less than a month that Republicans [have] claimed agreement on a new Patriot Act. "

One key controversial section extends authority for FBI use of "national security letters," which require businesses such as libraries, internet service providers, banks, hospitals or telephone companies to provide customer records on request -- no court order (warrant) required. Moreover, the customer cannot be told of the data release. "The Washington Post reported last month that the FBI now issues more than 30,000 national security letters a year, a hundred-fold increase over historic norms. The Justice Department disputed the report but has refused to provide its own tally."

According to the Boston Globe, additional provisions receiving a four-year extension include:

• Wiretaps on different telephones, following suspect behavior; this includes cellphones and computer
• Wiretaps for so-called ''lone-wolf" suspects (people who do not appear to be affiliated with "a terrorist group or a foreign power")

Six senators issued a joint statement opposing the compromise. One was Sen. Russell Feinghold (D-WI), the only senator to vote against the original Patriot Act: ''I will do everything I can, including a filibuster, to stop this Patriot Act conference report, which does not include adequate safeguards to protect our constitutional freedoms. This battle is not over."

The other five senators: Larry Craig (R-ID), Richard Durbin (D-IL) Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ken Salazar (D-CO) and John Sununu (R-NH).

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