Let the Patriot Act Expire

SPRINGFIELD, Virginia – Today, Campaign for Liberty applauded Senator Rand Paul’s filibuster of numerous attempts to extend controversial surveillance provisions of the so-called “PATRIOT” Act.

The Senate first failed to invoke cloture on the USA Freedom Act by a vote of 57-42. Sponsored by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the bill would extend and amend three controversial surveillance provisions; Sections 206 and 215 of the Patriot Act and Section 6001 of the 2004 Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act. The amendments will not, however, prevent warrantless and widespread surveillance of Americans and continues to allow the NSA to violate the 4^th Amendment rights of innocent Americans.

The Senate then failed to invoke cloture on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s two-month clean extension of the three expiring provisions by a vote of 45-54.  Senators Rand Paul, Ron Wyden, and Martin Heinrich then objected to shorter clean extensions proposed by McConnell.

Campaign for Liberty opposes any law, including the USA Freedom Act, that extends the NSA’s power to spy on innocent Americans.

“With the vast majority of the American people opposed to the NSA’s spying programs, it’s time for Senators on both sides of the aisle to Stand with Rand and stand up to Orwellian government,” said Campaign for Liberty President John Tate.

“This, however, is only the beginning of the fight to end the government’s spying programs. Ending these programs should be easy. All the Senate has to do is nothing and the American people will regain more of their privacy and begin to enjoy more of their liberties. I urge all Americans who value privacy to contact their Senators and tell them to do nothing and let the Patriot Act expire.”

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