Senate Approves Patriot Act Reauthorization
After months of intense debate, on Thursday, March 2, the Senate voted 89 - 10 to reauthorize the expiring provisions of the USA Patriot Act, including a four-year extension of Section 215, which authorizes searches of bookstore and library records. It is expected that the House will vote on -- and pass -- the legislation on Tuesday, March 7, according to media reports. President Bush must sign the bill before March 10.