Patriot Act Extension Fails

A bill that would have extended several key components of the 2001’s controversial Patriot Act failed to pass in the House of Representatives on Tuesday night. The measure needed a two-thirds majority but came up just seven votes short, party due to the defection of 26 Republicans, including many aligned with the Tea Party caucus. The bill would have continued such aspects of the Patriot Act as the right of the FBI to use roving wiretaps on surveillance targets; the right of the government to seize “any tangible items” while monitoring someone; and a “lone wolf” provision that allows surveillance on a person not known to be part of a terrorist organization. The Senate is separately considering extending the three provisions.