Senate Extends Patriot Act Provisions

The Senate voted Tuesday to temporarily extend three key provisions of the Patriot Act that are set to expire Feb. 28. The provisions, which include the controversial wiretapping program, will be law for 90 more days, which lawmakers said will give them time to review the measures. The House voted Monday, largely along party lines, to extend the law. Civil-rights advocates have questioned the wiretapping program; many senators have acknowledged it could use some adjustments to reduce possible violations of free speech and civil liberty. It was first passed in September 2001, just days after the Septemebr 11 terrorist attacks.