Friday, May 27, 2011

Americans better get used to the fact that the Patriot Act is permanent

Governments never ever give up power voluntarily.

The US Congress has voted to renew three expiring provisions of the anti-terrorism Patriot Act which increase surveillance powers.

The four-year extension was approved in the Senate just hours before the deadline at midnight (0400 GMT).

The bill was then sent to the House of Representatives, where it passed by a 250-153 vote.

The Patriot Act was brought in under President George W Bush in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks.

US President Barack Obama is now due to ratify the bill, officials said.


Read more here.

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