Updated December 17, 2005
Civil libertarian Republicans broke ranks on Friday, joining 40 Democrats and one Independent to give President Bush a significant legislative black eye when a filibuster successfully blocked renewal of the White House orchestrated "compromise" Patriot Act. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) lost the vote to end the filibuster, 52 to 47, but cast his vote on the losing side as a tactical measure. The opposition was led by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), the only senator to vote against the original bill in 2001. (more)
Republicans voting against cloture (voting to uphold filibuster)
- Craig (R-ID)
- Frist (R-TN)
- Hagel (R-NE)
- Murkowski (R-AK)
- Sununu (R-NH)
- Johnson (D-SD)
- Nelson (D-NE)