Senate Dems want to extend key provisions in Patriot Act for 1 year

By GottaLaff

Why don't they just call it the Spy Act?

Senate Democrats are pushing for a short-term extension of key provisions in the Patriot Act as part of a package of must-pass measures.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is planning to ask for unanimous consent to pass an extension for a host of measures set to expire February 28, according to Senate sources. [...]

The large package of bills includes a year-long extension of three provisions of the anti-terrorism law known a the Patriot Act, as well as extensions for expiring tax provisions, including unemployment insurance, COBRA, flood insurance, the law governing the highway trust fund, the federal flood insurance program and a measure governing satellite television signals.

Here are the three measures:

--Courts can okay roving wiretaps on terrorism suspects who shift their modes of communication.

--The government can get orders from a federal court for “any tangible thing” that is says is related to a terrorism investigation.

--The government can apply to a court for surveillance orders involving suspected “lone wolf” terrorists. The suspect doesn't necessarily have to be tied to a larger organization.